Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has warned that no manager is immune from being sacked as he prepares his team to take on former club Manchester United on Boxing Day.

Louis van Gaal has come under increasing pressure at the helm of the Red Devils, with recent reports suggesting that defeat at the Britannia on Saturday would spell the end of the Dutchman's tenure.

With United entering the game on the back of a six-match winless streak that includes three consecutive defeats, Hughes pointed to the recent sacking of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho as proof that ultimately results rule all.

"I said last week when Jose lost his role that no-one is immune. It doesn't matter what you have done in the game previously, and his record as a top-line manager is exceptional, you have to win football matches," he told reporters.

"He has been in the game a long, long time and he knows better than most if the results and perception is you are not doing particularly well, you come under pressure. He understands that. We all do."

Even when United were picking up positive results this season, the style of play employed by Van Gaal was often criticised, and Hughes believes that fans of the club have become accustomed to seeing more entertaining football.

"I think with all Man United teams there is a responsibility and an onus on the players to go out and perform and play like Man United players, and understand what the demands of being part of a big club like Man United entail," he added.

"There's a responsibility to entertain, I would suggest. That's always been the Manchester United way. It's always been woven into the fabric of the club and the teams that have put the shirt on. It's a huge demand to play for Manchester United and a lot of players can't deal with it.

"People go to United in numbers and if the level of performance isn't correct then they will let their feelings be known."

Stoke would move up to eighth place, just three points behind United, with victory on Boxing Day.