Pressure building on Man United, easing on Chelsea, igniting Arsenal + EPL UAE times

The Premier League weekend features a number of big clubs whose fortunes are at the moment in great flux, both for good and bad.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud celebrates one of his three goals in their Champions League victory over Olympiakos on Wednesday night. Angelos Tzortzinis / AFP / December 9, 2015

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini insists under-fire manager 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 United, 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 Bournemouth on Saturday.

Read more: Ahead of their meeting, Richard Jolly notes the divergant fortunes of sagging giant Manchester United and mighty mouse Bournemouth

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 and, with fourth placed United only three points behind leaders Leicester City, the Belgium international expects a strong push to win the title.

“We trust him,” Fellaini told NBC Sports. “He is the manager, it is his philosophy and we have to continue like that.

“I am sure the goals will come and the chances as well.”

Of Manchester United being able to win the title, Fellaini added: “Yes, of course. At the moment we are in the top four, we are there.

“It is a tough month but we have to continue like this. We know at Manchester United the expectations are high.”

United could be facing fourth bottom Bournemouth at the worst possible time as Eddie Howe's team will be buoyant after their surprise win at Chelsea last weekend.

That loss threatened to bring the curtain down on Jose Mourinho’s second spell at Chelsea after a traumatic season at Stamford Bridge.

But Mourinho’s players, regularly reported to be disenchanted with their manager this term, responded to claims that the Portuguese coach was on the verge of the sack by beating FC Porto 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16.

That victory appears to have bought Mourinho breathing space as he tries to lift Chelsea, currently only two points above the relegation zone, back into contention for a top four finish.

Mourinho still has no margin for error with Chelsea’s next assignment a tricky trip to Leicester and he could do with misfiring striker Diego Costa following up his vote of confidence with a lengthy scoring spree.

“Despite things not going well he is not to blame,” said Costa, who was recalled by Mourinho against Porto after a spell on the bench.

“When four or five players are not playing well it is more difficult. The manager has been fighting and encouraging us to turn this around.”

Leicester’s remarkable rise to the top of the table in their first season under former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri makes them dangerous opponents for the West Londoners.

But Ranieri fears Chelsea are coming back into form just in time for Monday’s trip to the King Power Stadium.

“Their record does not mean anything as Chelsea are Chelsea and Mourinho is Mourinho,” Ranieri said.

“I’m sure at the end of the season they will be in the top four.

“I respect them a lot because I watched the Porto match. They played very well with good concentration.”

Arsenal also reached the Champions League last 16 in midweek thanks to Olivier Giroud's hat-trick in a 3-0 win at Olympiakos.

Arsene Wenger's side, two points behind Leicester in second place, 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.

“We never give up and you should have seen them buzzing right at the end in the dressing room,” Walcott said.

“That is the spirit we want in this team. It is the spirit that we can push on and improve.”

Third placed Manchester City host managerless Swansea City, who sacked Garry Monk in midweek.

Fixtures (UAE times)

Saturday

Norwich City v Everton (4.45pm), Crystal Palace v Southampton (7pm), Manchester City v Swansea City (7pm), Sunderland v Watford (7pm), West Ham United v Stoke City (7pm), Bournemouth v Manchester United (9.30pm)

Sunday

Aston Villa v Arsenal (5.30pm), Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion (8pm), Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United (8pm)

Monday

Leicester City v Chelsea (Midnight)

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