Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini insists under-fire boss Louis van Gaal will silence his growing band of critics by winning the Premier League title this season.
Van Gaal had endured a barrage of abuse from unhappy fans during last Saturday’s 0-0 draw against West Ham, but that was nothing compared to the insults thrown at him after United suffered an embarrassing Champions League exit on Tuesday.
With a host of former United stars including Paul Scholes and Roy Keane queueing up to question van Gaal following that 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, the pressure is mounting as the Dutchman takes his spluttering side to Bournemo-uth on Saturday.
United are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions and reports claim van Gaal has lost the support of sections of his squad, with some players said to have been amazed by his decision to replace Juan Mata with the inexperienced Nick Powell against Wolfsburg. But Fellaini is adamant van Gaal retains the full backing of the dressing room.
Leicester’s remarkable rise to the top of the table in their first season under Claudio Ranieri makes them dangerous opponents for Chelsea. But Ranieri fears the Blues are coming back into form just in time for Monday’s trip.
Arsene Wenger’s side return to domestic action at bottom of the table Aston Villa on Sunday and winger Theo Walcott says their spirited success in front of a hostile crowd in Greece bodes well for their title challenge.
Third placed Manchester City host managerless Swansea, who sacked Garry Monk in midweek.
Fixtures Saturday: Bournemouth vs Manchester United, Crystal Palace vs Southampton, Manchester City vs Swansea, Norwich vs Everton, Sunderland vs Watford, West Ham vs Stoke.
Sunday: Aston Villa vs Arsenal, Liverpool vs West Brom, Tottenham vs Newcastle; Monday: Leicester vs Chelsea
