A report on Monday in the Daily Mail claimed that United’s squad would prefer Ryan Giggs, the club’s former player who has spent his entire career with the club, as manager should Van Gaal indeed leave.
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United’s players were given two days off follow a sixth Barclays Premier League loss of the season as manager Louis van Gaal went home to Holland to celebrate his daughter’s birthday.
He said United fans were “right to boo” and that he was disappointed he could not fulfil their expectations.
Reports suggested that the Dutchman had offered to step down after the disappointing defeat, which saw United manage just one shot one goal in the entire 90 minutes.
In turn, it remains to be seen how long the faith in Van Gaal lasts for, as United have now slipped 10 points behind league leaders Leicester City, and five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
However, with the entire stadium calling for Van Gaal’s head, and with millions of fans around the world echoing the locals” sentiments, Ed Woodward instructed the Dutch manager to “take some time’ to think about it.
The mood turned sour at Old Trafford during the course of Southampton s 1-0 win over United on Saturday.
But that talk was dismissed by a club source on Tuesday morning as the 64-year-old returned to work.
Appointed as successor to David Moyes in 2014, Van Gaal is just over halfway through a three-year contract.
In the past, Van Gaal was more adamant about turning things around at the club and not worrying about his future, but this new statement is clearly a change in stance for the coach.
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As well as booing, chants of “attack, attack, attack” have been heard coming from the Old Trafford stands, but Van Gaal’s team – featuring a host of big-money signings – have generally been unable to make a positive response.
