LVG in need of cheer, Hiddink back

 Seasonal cheer has been scarce for Louis van Gaal after a six-match winless sequence for his
Manchester United side intensified rumours that he will be sacked and Stoke City are unlikely to be offering any solace on Saturday.
While another Dutchman, Guus Hiddink, begins the job of rebuilding Premier League champions Chelsea's season at home to Watford, Van Gaal enters the hectic holiday schedule with his prospects about as bright as a Christmas turkey.
After consecutive 2-1 defeats by relegation candidates Bournemouth and Norwich City dropped United out of the top four, hot on the heels of their Champions League exit, Van Gaal can ill afford another defeat at Stoke.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes, a former United great, joined the debate about United's woes when he said Van Gaal's assistant Ryan Giggs had an "outstanding chance" of taking the Old Trafford hot seat should Van Gaal depart.
Hughes has warned his players they will need to reach the level they achieved in outclassing Manchester City this month to withstand any United backlash.