Van Gaal Back In UK To Take Man Utd Training

Fans and critics have blasted the Dutchman’s “boring” style of play and the pressure significantly mounted after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Southampton at home.

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

Former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s most successful manager and now a director at the club, is believed to have no knowledge of Woodward’s thinking regarding the managerial situation.

It was reported on Monday that Van Gaal spoke to United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about his future immediately after their sixth Premier League defeat of the season.

Several newspapers suggested that the 64-year-old made the offer, but Sky Sports reporter James Cooper has dismissed the reports and denied that Van Gaal will end his tenure in Manchester in the next 24 hours.

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

Manchester United, who have managed to win just two of their last 10 league games, now find themselves fifth in the standings with 37 points from 23 games, 10 adrift of leaders Leicester City.

Should Woodward and the club’s owners, the Glazer family, decide a change is required, the three favourites to replace Van Gaal are Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Ryan Giggs. Similar instances in Barcelona and Alkmaar show that Van Gaal may yet very well resign on his own.

Van Gaal’s side were eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League and have failed to score a first-half goal in their past 11 home games.

The stern Dutch manager was not for the first time facing an open revolt from the stands of Old Trafford with boos accompanying him off the field as he disconsolately trudged off the pitch following the 0-1 loss to Southampton.