Thursday 14 April 2016 20:56, UK
The future of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has been the subject of continued speculation all season, but the Dutchman has continued to come up with timely answers to his critics again and again.
Manchester United's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final triumph at West Ham was just the latest, easing the pressure after the weekend's heavy defeat at Tottenham hit Van Gaal's hopes of a top-four finish.
Here we look back at seven times Van Gaal and his Manchester United players have pulled off a big result, just when they needed it most...
Saturday, October 17
United made a confident start to the season - undefeated in their opening 12 matches in all competitions under Van Gaal - but supporters questioned the Dutchman's tactics and style of play.
His first test arrived after Arsenal blew them away with a 3-0 win at the Emirates, but Ander Herrera came to Van Gaal's rescue at Goodison Park a week later.
The Spaniard scored one and made another for Wayne Rooney in an impressive victory.
Rooney's goal - a first on the road in the league in 11 months - capped a United performance far removed from their meek display at Arsenal.
United were composed on the ball, organised without it and all-round value for a result that kept them two points off neighbours Manchester City.
Van Gaal praised United's "fantastic" response while Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier hailed their professionalism after a tough couple of weeks.
"From the moment United got that second goal, they never looked troubled. They were so solid defensively. David de Gea had to make two saves all game.
"It was a really professional away performance in the Premier League, and they looked really, really comfortable."
Saturday, January 2
After United were dumped out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, they suffered three consecutive Premier League defeats against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke.
Chants of Jose Mourinho rang around Old Trafford following the Norwich loss and the pressure seemed to be getting to Van Gaal who hit back at journalists in his pre-Boxing Day press conference asking them to apologise to him for reporting about his future.
His side put on an improved display in a goalless draw at home to Chelsea on December 28 - but still no win.
With the heat intensifying, United finally ended their eight-match winless run with a 2-1 victory over Swansea at Old Trafford.
It looked like being another frustrating afternoon for the hosts when the Swans equalised with 20 minutes to go through Gylfi Sigurdsson, but Wayne Rooney ended his two-month drought and became the second-highest scorer in both Premier League and Manchester United history with the winner.
Soccer Saturday pundit Paul Merson said it was paramount that Rooney had to stay fit if United were to finish in the top four.
"Rooney played quite well and he was always involved. If United can get Rooney playing well they'll get in the top four. If they don't, they won't."
Sunday, January 17
A week later they progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup thanks to Rooney's stoppage-time penalty over League One side Sheffield United, but Van Gaal quickly found himself under the magnifying glass as Paul Dummett rescued a dramatic late point for Newcastle against them in a thrilling 3-3 draw.
They headed to Liverpool six days later and Paul Merson felt defeat would render Van Gaal's position untenable.
"Considering how big this match is and what could happen to the league table after Saturday's results, I just don't see how he could get away with defeat," said Merson. "It could be the straw that breaks the camel's back."
But De Gea kept a rampant Liverpool side at bay and then Rooney ended an 11-year wait for an Anfield goal to snatch a dramatic win on Super Sunday.
Van Gaal said his side could still win the title but former great Peter Schmeichel dismissed their chances.
Friday, January 29
A week after the Liverpool win, United suffered a 1-0 defeat to Southampton with Charlie Austin's late winner at Old Trafford condemning United to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season.
Van Gaal was booed by a section of home supporters as he left the field after the final whistle, and his stock appeared to be at an all-time low with the Red Devils sitting five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.
Sources at the club told Sky Sports News HQ the under-fire manager did not offer his resignation in the wake of the game, despite reports in the press to the contrary.
Step forward Rooney once again. The skipper opened the scoring against Derby County with a beautiful curling effort to help United to an emphatic FA Cup fourth-round win. It was his sixth goal in six games, having scored two in his previous 13. Daley Blind and the returning Juan Mata finished off the Rams.
But the media were still relentless. In his post-match news conference, the United boss reacted angrily to a question from a journalist about the freedom of his players.
And pundit Charlie Nicholas felt the pressure was still very much on the Dutchman.
"Is the pressure off now? No, not until they get a fluency in their game," said the former Arsenal striker.
Sunday, February 28
Things got worse as Van Gaal endured a shock defeat at Sunderland and then suffered more misery in the Europa League with a 2-1 loss at FC Midtjylland. United recovered to reach the FA quarter-finals by overcoming Shrewsbury before teenage sensation Marcus Rashford scored twice on his debut as United beat Midtjylland 5-1 to qualify for the last 16 of the Europa League with a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Van Gaal was grateful to Rashford again just three days later as the prodigious young striker scored twice on his Premier League debut to help them to a sensational win over Arsenal at Old Trafford and gain revenge for their Emirates hammering earlier in the season.
The Dutchman hailed the "unbelievable" impact of Rashford after the win and explained the need for his side to play at a quicker tempo.
"The key factor is always that you dare to play and we can play very good but we have to move the ball more quickly and we have to switch the game more frequently. The two goals that we scored in the first half were through the switching of the game.
"That we have improved because we did it, in this game in any case, but we have to do it more I think. That's the key I think and also that we are defending like a team."
Sunday, March 20
United struggled to beat Watford and then Juan Mata was sent off as United's top-four hopes suffered a setback with a 1-0 defeat at West Brom.
Their Europa League dreams were shattered by bitter rivals Liverpool and Van Gaal seemed to be running out of time.
Heading into the Manchester derby Van Gaal admitted that they had fallen below expectations this season.
"I think for four months [the press] have been writing that I shall be sacked, or not? Four months already. Do you think that is logical or normal?
"Expectations can be too high. Our purpose was to reach the top three because we wanted to do a bit better than last year.
"Yes [we have fallen below expectations], but then you have to analyse the circumstances, how I have to work. I am never feeling that I am under pressure. I do what I have to do. "
The men from Old Trafford atoned for the Liverpool loss by ending a miserable March with Manchester bragging rights and United academy product Rashford all but ending City's title hopes with victory at the Etihad Stadium to appease fans - for a while at least.
Wednesday, April 13
Anthony Martial sealed a tight 1-0 victory over Everton at the start of the month, but United suffered a relapse at White Hart Lane.
Their team bus got caught in severe traffic en route from their central London hotel and although they started brightly, Tottenham burst into life with three goals in a rampant six-minute spell in the second half to puncture United's top four hopes.
On Wednesday night Van Gaal did keep alive his hopes of silverware as his side bounced back with another Rashord-inspired win - this time over the Hammers in their FA quarter-final replay at Upton Park.
Rashford and Fellaini helped them earn the victory in a match where Rooney made his return as a late substitute but once again, their talented young players stole the limelight.
After the match, Van Gaal reiterated his desire to win a trophy, saying: "That is what I came here to do."
Even lifting the FA Cup may not be enough to keep Van Gaal in his job, but if he does survive, he will look back at these seven key wins which have kept him in the Old Trafford hot-seat.
