LOUIS VAN GAAL said that he could jump before he is pushed after his position as Manchester United manager became even more precarious following a fourth successive defeat.

    Losing 2-0 at Stoke City on Boxing Day condemned United to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions for the first time since 1961, and pushed the team down to sixth place.

    Van Gaal lamented his players’ inability to handle the pressure, and partly blamed the windy conditions at Stoke. Then the manager conceded he might be at fault and suggested he could resign.

    “I do my utmost best to find solutions to cope with the pressure,” Van Gaal said. “But in the end my players have to do that by themselves.”

    It was a hapless first-half performance, and Van Gaal questioned why his players “don’t dare to play football.”

    Arsenal was also embarrassed and Chelsea drew on another erratic day in the Premier League. And despite losing at Liverpool, Leicester’s surprise lead was maintained Saturday.

    Memphis Depay’s diving backward header allowed Bojan Krkic to put Stoke in front, and Marko Arnautovic powered in a second goal from outside the penalty area.

    Wayne Rooney was forced to start a league game on the bench for the first time in two years, and United provided a greater threat only with its captain on the field in the second half. But a combination of poor finishing and Jack Butland’s saves prevented United from leaving Stoke with anything.

    Van Gaal’s comments and demeanor suggest his stay at Old Trafford is reaching an endgame after barely 18 months in charge.

    “I can also quit by myself,” Van Gaal said when asked about receiving assurances about his job security, before adding: “It is not always ... the club has to fire or sack me.”

    Asked if he would be in charge at Old Trafford today when United plays Chelsea, Van Gaal said: “You will have to wait and see. But I think so.”

    On a rare day when every Premier League team was in action, there was a bigger humbling for Arsenal, which missed the chance to go top after being thrashed 4-0 by Southampton.

    Cuco Martina’s half-volley put Southampton in front and Shane Long scored twice either side of Jose Fonte’s header as the hosts rose to 12th place.

    Arsenal stayed two points behind Leicester, which lost 1-0 at Liverpool after conceding from Christian Benteke.

    Manchester City quickly recovered from losing at Arsenal on Monday to thump struggling Sunderland 4-1 to stay third.

    (SD-Agencies)