Louis van Gaal has managed teams in Champions League finals. He has won league titles in Holland, Spain and Germany. He coached the Netherlands to the semi-final of the last World Cup. But, there is a real case for suggesting that this encounter is one of the biggest of the Dutchman's managerial career. If his Manchester United side lose at Stoke City, he could well find himself out of a job this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for today's coverage at the Britannia Stadium.

Right, let's start with some teams news - there's a big omission for the away side...

MAN UNITED XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Jones, Blind; Carrick, Fellaini; Mata, Herrera, Memphis; Martial

MAN UNITED SUBS: Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, McNair, Varela, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Rooney

Can Wayne Rooney have any complaints about finding himself among the substitutes? I would suggest not. You can count on one hand the number of good games that the United skipper has had this season and still have some fingers spare. He's been dropped to the bench, with Ander Herrera taking his place. That is the only change that Van Gaal has made from the side that was defeated at home by Norwich City last time out.

STAT! And this highlights that point...

570 - Wayne Rooney's mins per goal ratio (one every 570) in 2015-16 is more than double that of any of his previous 13 PL seasons. Benched. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2015

And now for the home team...

STOKE XI: Butland; Johnson, Shawcross, Wollscheid, Pieters; Whelan, Cameron; Arnautovic, Afellay, Shaqiri; Bojan

STOKE SUBS: Haugaard, Joselu, Wilson, Van Ginkel, Adam, Diouf, Walters

Like his counterpart Van Gaal, Stoke boss Mark Hughes has made one alteration to his starting lineup. Midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who is on loan from Chelsea, has dropped down to the bench, with Geoff Cameron coming in to help protect the back four. The lively Marko Arnautovic, Xherdan Shaqiri and Bojan will form a three-pronged attack.

There really is only one place to start where this encounter is concerned - the man in the United dugout. Recent speculation has claimed that if the Red Devils lose either this game or against Chelsea on Monday night, Van Gaal will pay with his job. Not only are United on a poor run of form, supporters are unhappy with the style of play that he has demanded from team. His days look numbered, that's for sure.

STAT! And this is one of the main reasons behind all of the discontent...

1.29 - Manchester United have averaged just 1.29 goals per game in the league this season; their lowest average since 1989-90 (1.21). Blunt. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 26, 2015

Of course, the recent availability of this man has not helped Van Gaal's cause. It is believed that he is eager to replace the Dutchman.

© Getty Images

However, Van Gaal can at least take some confidence from his side's form of late against Stoke. Of the last 16 meetings between the two sides, United have been beaten just once. Last season with Van Gaal in charge United won at Old Trafford 2-1 thanks to goals from Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata, while the game at the Britannia was a 1-1 draw. Ryan Shawcross scored early on for the hosts, before Radamel Falcao responded.

Of course, there are two teams involved in the Potteries this afternoon. Stoke are somewhat of a confusing case. On the face of it they have been impressive at times this season, yet they still find themselves down in 11th position. Having spent a decent amount of money in the summer, fans will be expecting them be a bit higher up the table come May.

STAT! One of the main reasons behind their positive results has been solid foundations...

STAT Stoke City have kept a clean sheet in 7 of their last 10 Premier League games https://t.co/ox0tnopkVS #SCFC pic.twitter.com/RwiBTCyks6

— Stats Zone (@StatsZone) December 26, 2015

Incidentally, the man pictured below with goalkeeper Jack Butland - Erik Pieters - provided Stoke with some good festive news earlier today. The impressive Dutch full-back has signed a new contract at the Britannia until 2020.

Only Man United, Spurs and Arsenal have conceded less goals than Stoke, but it's up the other end of the pitch where they've had problems this season. No side has scored less goals (14) than Hughes's men. Given the attacking talent that is at Hughes's disposal, you would have expected them to have found the net more times from their 17 outings.

Some insight into how United might be playing today...

#mufc might be reverting to midfield triangle. Fellaini and Herrera both pushed ahead of Carrick in attacking drills.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) December 26, 2015

And here is Van Gaal explaining why Rooney is named among the substitutes today:

"It is our gameplan. With this gameplan it is better to pay with Ander Herrera instead of Wayne Rooney," he told Sky Sports News.

"It is not a drastic measure, it is my gameplan. That's for us, not for you! We have done everything we can do, I have seen a fantastic attitude of my players so I fully believe in this game. The conditions are the main factor but we have to cope with it. You can say that you don't like wind but you have to cope with it."

Meanwhile, Hughes told Sky Sports News: "We've welcomed Chelsea and Man City recently and overcame them, so more of the same hopefully."

Considering United's form, there is no reason whatsoever why Stoke should not be confident here.

Five minutes before kickoff, former United striker Andy Cole sends out a rallying cry...

Big game for @ManUtd today against Stoke.. Come on the lads ⚽️🔴

— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) December 26, 2015

Right, the players are out on the pitch and the pre-match handshakes are taking place. Not long now until we get underway.

GAME ON! Visiting United, attacking from right to left in the first half, get us off and running. Big 90 minutes ahead for Van Gaal.

Very little to report from the opening few minutes. Stoke have perhaps had more of the possession, but they are yet to test David de Gea in the United goal. Bojan has tried his luck from distance, but shot well over.

SAVE! A first venture forward for United as the ball is worked to Carrick 25 yards from goal. The captain for the day drills a low shot goalwards, but Butland is behind it all the way and gathers with ease.

Stoke fans have come prepared for Van Gaal!

Inventive... https://t.co/fAUWpkhVx5 pic.twitter.com/ZF8cACKlZK — Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) December 26, 2015

"Boring, boring, boring" chant the Stoke fans as a patient United move sees Young win a corner down the right flank. Smalling darts to the near post to meet Blind's cross, but it's cleared.

SAVE! A bit more pace on the ball and United may very well have been in front. Depay whips the ball in from the left after Herrera is fouled. It was probably a cross from the Dutch winger, but it would have crept inside the near post had Butland not scampered across in time.

Van Gaal spent big money on Depay in the summer, yet it could well be United's young winger that has put the final nail in his manager's coffin. His intended back header for De Gea is badly lacking in power and Glen Johnson nips in. As De Gea approaches, the Stoke full-back shows good awareness to pick out Bojan, who beats two United defenders on the line. Disaster for Van Gaal, who sits motionless in his seat on the dugout.

The response to having fallen behind is lukewarm at best from United. Depay has tried to atone on a couple of occasions, only to run into traffic. It's not looking good for the visitors right now.

Clear your desk, Louis. We may only be 26 minutes in, but United are on the ropes. Bojan's free kick is blocked by the wall. The ball then falls for Arnautovic 25 yards from goal and rather than assess his options, the fiery Austrian powers a swerving shot that leaves De Gea absolutely no chance. Game over? It looks that way.

MATCH ACTION! Here's a shot of Bojan celebrating his opening goal with his teammates.

© Getty Images

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand sums it up nicely...

I'm not even surprised....that's what hurts even more at @ManUtd ....come on boys — Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) December 26, 2015

CHANCE! Well, United should be down and out completely. Bojan slides a great pass through for Arnautovic, who times his run brilliantly across the line. He's through one on one with De Gea and a goal looks certain, only for him to shoot comfortably wide of the target. An escape for the away side.

United are now having more of the possession, but as has been the case all season, chances are in short supply. It's all too easy for Stoke from a defensive point of view.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of the first half.

There goes the final whistle, which is met by cheers from the home faithful. As bad as United have been, Stoke deserve some credit. Not for the first time they have controlled the game against one of the division's biggest clubs and deservedly lead by a comfortable margin.

As for United, where do you even start?! You can file that first-half display under the likes of Bournemouth and Norwich City in recent weeks. Van Gaal has undeniably made major mistakes over his tenure, but the players need to look at themselves as well. There's no passion or desire in their play, while there has been a string of simple passes and crosses going astray.

Time for this man? He's out on the pitch warming up right now.

© Getty Images

RESTART! Rooney is indeed on, with Depay coming off. It was a miserable first half for the Dutchman. The hosts have also made a change, with Van Ginkel replacing Whelan. Stoke get us back underway.

Rooney has come on and gone straight up front, which has shunted Martial out to the left wing. Everyone else has remained in their original positions for now.

BOOKING! Bojan goes into the book for Stoke after he takes a tumble in the box under a challenge from Blind. Replays show that it was the correct decision from referee Kevin Friend.

It seems during this second half that Stoke are prepared for United to have most of the possession in the hope that they can then catch their opponents on the counter-attack. It's been pretty mundane stuff since the restart.

STAT!

STK 2-0 MNU (55') - Manchester United has scored in their last 23 matches on #BoxingDay. They haven't been kept scoreless since 26-Dec 1989. — MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) December 26, 2015

He may have scored a fantastic second goal, but Arnautovic has just made himself look a bit of clown. Through with just Young to beat, he trips up over his own feet and hits the deck.

SAVE! At last Rooney sparks into life and his low cross really should have been converted by Fellaini. However, United's big Belgian drills a shot straight down the middle which Butland is able to push clear. United may not get many more better chances than that one.

STOKE SUB: A second change of the match for Stoke as the ineffective Shaqiri comes off to be replaced by former United striker Diouf.

Still United dominate the contest in terms of possession, but aside from that Fellaini chance, Butland in the Stoke goal has been a spectator. Time is running out as well - not just in this game, but perhaps on Van Gaal's stint as manager.

STOKE SUB: Final alteration for Stoke sees Adam replace Cameron in midfield.

Good football from Stoke as Johnson plays a neat pass inside from Bojan, who makes his way into the United box. He aims a cross towards the back post, but De Gea is alert to push the ball clear.

MAN UNITED SUB: A second change for United as youngster Andreas Pereira takes the place of Herrera.

SAVE! Butland is having a great season for Stoke and he continues that form to thwart Martial. The Frenchman's low shot doesn't have much power on it, but it's still bouncing awkwardly. The Stoke keeper does well, though, to turn the ball around the post.

There will be three minutes of stoppage time at the end of this game. United look like a side that have accepted their fate.

There goes the final whistle. It's Stoke that deservedly claim the three points and ends a run of two straight defeats for Hughes's charges. Where now for United and Van Gaal? A parting of the ways seems inevitable.

That's all we have time for from the Britannia Stadium. Thanks for joining us this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.