Van Gaal apologises to Manchester United supporters

Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern have assembled with a heavy heart today, after another home defeat yesterday in the hands of Southampton saw pressure upon Louis Van Gaal rise significantly.

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.

“You have to play football to entertain the fans”.

Loud boos rang around Old Trafford following the final whistle of Saturday’s game as Van Gaal endured what he later described as the worst reaction he has heard from United supporters during his time in charge.

But he would still be “really surprised” if Van Gaal moves on before the summer, explaining: ‘I can not see anything happening with Van Gaal because, quite simply, if United wanted to get rid of him they would have done it by now’.

“They have – or they had – great expectations of me, and I can not fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that”.

The Red Devils – frequently derided of late for playing in a boring, uninspiring way – had just one shot on target during the defeat.

It is understood the United boss is in Holland for his daughter’s birthday and is not expected back at Carrington until tomorrow.

There had been hopes of a challenge for the title this term, but the chances of that look slim after Saturday’s loss, which leaves United on 37 points after 23 games.

Already out of the Champions League, United are five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham and lagging behind in their attempts to reach next season’s competition.

Asked whether he has the appetite to continue at Old Trafford, Van Gaal responded with: “This question I shall never answer to you”.