Louis van Gaal set for pre-match press conference as pressure intensifies

Sir Alex Ferguson reportedly attended emergency meetings in which Manchester United’s bosses discussed the possibility of appointing Jose Mourinho.

Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder has been linked once again with a move to Manchester United amid rumours that Jose Mourinho could take over as manager.

Van Gaal, for his part, has told the club he will respect their decision whichever way the club decides, and sources within Old Trafford suggest he is philosophical about the outcome.

Martial’s form has stuttered since he made an immediate impact in a Red Devils’ shirt, failing to score in 10 straight Premier League outings after scoring four times in his first four appearances at Old Trafford. “We both know what we want, we trust each other and we work really well together”, said Phil, who retains ambitions of his own to be a number one in the future. “There isn’t an official proposal either, that’s not true”.

Beleaguered Man United boss Louis van Gaal has the (tentative) backing of pundit and Valencia assistant manager Phil Neville.

However, the Spanish outlet have mentioned that this can only happen if Louis Van Gaal loses his next game against Stoke City in the Premier League.

“The interesting thing is that’s the instruction from Van Gaal, to stay wide”, said Carragher.

But Diario de Noticias insisted Mourinho won’t need to settle, because Chelsea are obligated to pay the difference between his £12 million-a-year Chelsea agreement and any new deal if it’s of a lesser value, for a period of one year.

As well as the Mourinho option, Pep Guardiola will be available in the close-season as he is leaving Bayern Munich – making it a safe bet there will be little festive cheer when van Gaal sits down for his Christmas dinner on Friday. The Dutchman is due to conduct his weekly press conference at United’s training complex at 3:30pm.

United travel to Stoke on Boxing Day before hosting Chelsea on December 28.

United manager Van Gaal is under heavy pressure at Old Trafford after a sequence of poor results and an even longer spell of uninspiring performances.