Business as usual for Louis van Gaal as speculation builds

Saturday evening’s 2-1 loss at home to Norwich City appears to have been the final straw for fans of the club, who showed their frustration at the 68-year-old’s reign by chanting the name of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho during the torrid defeat.

According to reports, Jose Mourinho would accept the job if offered the chance to manage one of the world’s biggest club.

Mourinho is due to fly to Portugal this week to spend time with his family over the festive period but he has made it known that he would be interested in taking charge at Old Trafford if the position became available.

United were booed off the pitch following their third straight defeat, which left them in fifth position.

United’s hierarchy held a meeting on Tuesday in London but it is understood Van Gaal’s future was not the reason for the gathering and commercial matters were instead top of the agenda.

It seems Jose Mourinho has finally broken his silence after being sacked by Chelsea last week.

Although United could stomach another year out of the Champions League in a financial sense, the damage to the club’s standing in the game would be hit if they were not in Europe’s top club competition next season.

The pressure is mounting on the embattled Manchester United manager who was hunkered down at United’s Carrington training base on Monday amid speculation he will be axed if his side lose either of their next two matches at Stoke City on Saturday or at home against Chelsea next Monday.

And while publicly United’s players have insisted van Gaal retains their support as with Mourinho’s sacking last week the truth is somewhat different.

As well as Mourinho, Pep Guardiola will be available in the summer as he is leaving Bayern Munich.

The United manager said: “Ed was very fast out of the dressing room but I feel that support, yes”.