Manchester United Sack Louis Van Gaal As Manager

Louis van Gaal's spell as Manchester United manager is over

Manchester United have sacked Louis van Gaal as manager, according to reports.

Press Association report continues:

After a disappointing campaign in terms of style and substance at Old Trafford, the door is now open for Jose Mourinho's return to management.

Before the celebrations had even subsided at Wembley on Saturday, United's FA Cup win was being overshadowed by fresh reports that Van Gaal was to be replaced by the former Chelsea boss in the coming days.

United have steadfastly refused to comment on speculation regarding their managerial situation, while the Portuguese kept his counsel when asked about the job by Press Association Sport ahead of David Haye's fight on Saturday evening.

But with an announcement widely expected later on Monday, some media outlets started to report that Van Gaal had already been let go.

Van Gaal stood firm when asked about his position in the post-match press conference at Wembley, but fuelled speculation on Sunday by telling a reporter outside the team hotel that "it's over".

Manchester United's FA Cup final win over Crystal Palace gave them a 12th success in the competition and a first since Sir Alex Ferguson led them to victory in 2004

The brevity of the comment meant it was not immediately clear whether that meant the former Holland manager had been told his time at United was at an end, although his situation could soon become clearer.

Van Gaal arrived at United's Aon Training Complex at around 8.45am on Monday, his Mercedes sweeping into the Carrington training ground.

Two years ago predecessor David Moyes attended a morning meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at the club's training complex and a statement confirming the Scot's sacking followed shortly afterwards, just 10 months into a six-year deal to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Van Gaal was followed into United's training ground by employment lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, who has long worked with the League Managers Association.

Having initially been turned away by security, he was allowed into the complex around an hour after the Dutchman arrived.

Gilroy lists former United manager Moyes among the clients he has advised, along with Ferguson, Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers.

Chambers and Partners describe Gilroy as "a noted employment specialist" who is "renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers".

Van Gaal still has a season remaining on his three-year contract, while Mourinho has been out of work since paying for Chelsea's abysmal title defence with his job in December.

The Portuguese has repeatedly spoken of his plans to return to work this summer, and reviving United's fortunes would surely be a mouth-watering proposition for the self-styled 'Special One'.

United, a club synonymous with a swashbuckling, attacking style, managed a paltry 49 league goals - their lowest return for 26 years - and missed out on Champions League qualification to neighbours Manchester City on goal difference.

A first FA Cup win since 2004 was a welcome boost, but captain Wayne Rooney knows the campaign was far from good enough.

"He has been under pressure. I think we all have," Rooney said of Van Gaal.

"That's part of playing for Manchester United and managing Manchester United - it is a massive club.

"You have to set standards and we fell below them this season.

"But we have to make sure as players we get back to those standards and make sure we are back challenging for the main trophies."

Success is something former United midfielder and Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins is backing Mourinho to bring back to Old Trafford.

"I think it is the right move," he told talkSPORT. "It is the only move for them. He will get them playing again and he will get them winning again.

"He is a winner - there is no two ways about it. When he goes to a club, normally he wins a big trophy within the first couple of years."

FROM BBC Sport

How do the stats shape up?

o  Manchester United scored 49 Premier League goals this season - one more than Blackburn scored when they were relegated in 2012

o  For the second consecutive season, United ended up with a negative goal difference away from home

o   Went 11 home games without scoring a first-half goal earlier this season

o   They conceded the joint fewest goals in the league - 35 - along with Tottenham

o   The team made 3,222 backwards passes - the most in the league

o   Van Gaal used 33 players over the season - the second highest number after Liverpool (34)

o   Man Utd topped the clean sheet record table alongside Arsenal with 18

What is his legacy?

Van Gaal arrived at Old Trafford with his reputation enhanced after steering the Netherlands to the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.

The experience he gained while managing Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich also suggested he had the necessary clout and ego to succeed at United, in contrast to predecessor Moyes, who had been in charge at Preston and Everton before taking over when Ferguson retired.

After a solid first season, Van Gaal was expected to turn United into title contenders, especially after taking the club's outlay on players to more than £250m since the summer of 2014.

His record in the transfer market has been hit and miss. Angel di Maria - a British record signing at £59.7m - faded after a fast start and was sold, while Radamel Falcao delivered little after his loan move from Monaco.

The summer of 2015 has hardly proved a success either, with Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin, who reportedly cost United a combined total of around £40m, failing to add dynamism to midfield.

This campaign has also been undermined by injuries, with Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia, Marcus Rojo, Schweinsteiger, Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Phil Jones and Ashley Young all missing significant parts of the season.