In late January, Gazzetta dello Sport reported that “discreet” talks had been held, while the Manchester Evening News even reported on Friday evening that Mourinho had been approached by United.
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“The competition is not yet finished, not for Manchester United or the other teams”.
The pressure on van Gaal has intensified since United suffered an embarrassing exit from the Champions League at the group stage.
Those sentiments were echoed by midfielder Jesse Lingard after United produced one of their best displays of the season in the Premier League to beat Stoke 3-0 in midweek.
His comments come less than a fortnight after a dismal loss to Southampton that saw United and Van Gaal booed at Old Trafford and intensified speculation over his future.
No agreement has been found and nothing has been signed, say the BBC, who add that only current assistant manager Ryan Giggs “is in the frame” as Van Gaal’s replacement.
“And it is especially so with Wayne Rooney, who is saying that because he has scored seven goals”.
“It is only because of the confidence that the players themselves feel more free”.
Louis van Gaal has urged Juan Mata to prove he is worthy of being Manchester United’s main playmaker for the remainder of the season. “Maybe you remember that?”
“It’s very important that we dare to play in every position and that we give options to the player who has the ball”, he told MUTV.
Van Gaal wanting Mata to improve his game is totally understandable but to claim that Pereira is better than him in the specified role is perhaps a bit surprising. “We are always working hard and very professionally in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal”.
“I’m not changing him from that role, he has changed himself, because at that time he wasn’t good enough”.
The Daily Mail claim an exclusive on the news that Mourinho is “closing in on Manchester United deal”, with the Portuguese expected to take over in the summer.
“When he is playing like he has played now, he shall play at No.10”.
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Would Mourinho be a good appointment for United?
