Ed Woodward meeting as Louis van Gaal exit talk increases

Andy Hampson 09:01 23/12/2015
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  • Waving goodbye? Pressure continues to mount on Louis van Gaal.

    Louis van Gaal’s future as Manchester United manager was thrown into further doubt last night after reports executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward held a meeting to discuss his future.

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

    Jose Mourinho – who left Chelsea last week – has been heavily tipped as a potential successor should United decide to sack the veteran former Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Holland manager.

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    However, the Manchester Evening News reported Woodward attended a commercial-related discussion at United’s London office, rather than decide the beleaguered Van Gaal’s fate as other outlets suggested.

    The Dutchman is expected to conduct his pre-match press conference today ahead of the trip to Mark Hughes’ Stoke on Saturday.

    And Hughes, a revered former United striker, has backed Ryan Giggs to take charge of the Red Devils should Van Gaal depart.

    “Given his playing career, you would say he’s got an outstanding chance,” Hughes said.

    Giggs, 42, made a club record 963 appearances for United. He was United’s caretaker manager for four games in 2014 and has been Van Gaal’s assistant since then.

    “His ability as a manager is not clear yet – we don’t know because he’s not had the opportunity yet,” Hughes added.

    “He’s getting an education now. He had it being around Sir Alex Ferguson for so many years, and now he’s assistant manager.”

    Hughes could turn up the heat even more if his Stoke team condemn Van Gaal’s men to a fourth successive loss on Boxing Day.

    And the 52-year-old does not expect Van Gaal’s reputation to save him if his United side continue to under-perform

    He said: “I said last week when Jose lost his role that no-one is immune. It doesn’t matter what you have done in the game previously, and his record as a top-line manager is exceptional, you have to win football matches.

    “He has been in the game a long, long time and he knows better than most if the results and perception is you are not doing particularly well, you come under pressure.”

    United have lost their last three games in all competitions and not won in six – a run which has seen them eliminated from the Champions League and slip to fifth in the Premier League.

    The team were booed off after losing to Norwich on Saturday and Hughes is well aware of the expectations fans have at United.

    He said: “I think with all Man United teams there is a responsibility and an onus on the players to go out and perform and play like Man United players, and understand what the demands of being part of a big club like Man United entail.

    “There’s a responsibility to entertain, I would suggest. That’s always been the Manchester United way. It’s a huge demand to play for Manchester United and a lot of players can’t deal with it.”

    Although it looks increasingly likely United will dismiss Van Gaal, it is thought several United players still enjoy working under Van Gaal, despite unrest among some sections, and he has not explicitly lost the dressing room like David Moyes did. United defender Phil Jones 
    reinstated that belief.

    “I wouldn’t say it’s the lowest moment,” he said. “I think it became pretty glum under Moyes.”

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