Ed Woodward convinced Louis van Gaal to stay despite wishes for resignation

Jose Mourinho, who has apparently sent a six-page letter outlining his plans to transform the club’s misfortunes is favourite to become the new Manchester United manager if Louis van Gaal resigns.

The Old Trafford crowd have grown restless with their side’s lack of attacking threat and 10 of their last 11 home games goal-less at the break.

They are ten points behind leaders Leicester, and five behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race for the Champions League places.

It is also believed there are no plans to have one on Monday with the focus on Friday’s FA Cup tie at Derby County, a tournament United have not won for 12 years.

United are maintaining their long-established position of refusing to publicly discuss Van Gaal’s future.

Manchester United now sit fifth in the table and are three points worse off than they were at the same stage of the season during David Moyes’ disastrous spell with the club.

United slumped to a 1-0 loss to Southampton at Old Trafford on 23 January, thereby increasing pressure on current boss Louis van Gaal.

“They have – or they had – great expectations of me, and I can not fulfil them”.

“I think the 20 Premier League teams will probably be in the top 30 revenue earners in European football so it gives every team a real ability to attract top players”.

Although Van Gaal knows his approval rating is at an all-time low with United fans, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager refused to be drawn on whether his job may be under threat.

Now several UK newspapers including The Sun and The Guardian are leading with the story that United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward talked Van Gaal out of quitting last weekend, in a move that will be reviewed in the coming days.

Van Gaal is having to come to terms with a more competitive Premier League, said Gill.