Jose Mourinho to Manchester United all but agreed - the final decision on sacking Louis van Gaal is now down to Glazers

Joel (left) and Avram Glazer have the final say on Louis van Gaal's future

MANCHESTER UNITED’S American owners have been left with the final decision on whether to sack Louis van Gaal after Jose Mourinho agreed in principle to be their next manager.

Talks have taken place between the club and Mourinho, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has done enough work to ensure a replacement is now in place when needed.


Now all that remains is for the Glazer family to officially sanction making the change — and the debate is whether to sack Van Gaal now or give him one last chance in the Boxing Day trip to Stoke.

The Old Trafford board have been reluctant to turn against the Dutchman, who is seen as their first real choice as United boss after going with Sir Alex Ferguson’s advice in appointing David Moyes.

But the 2-1 defeat to Norwich on Saturday was the third straight loss for the side and more worryingly is that the team look to be short of any inspiration.
A top four finish and Champions League qualification is the minimum they expect from the season after backing Van Gaal to the tune of £300million since his arrival.

Louis van Gaal has lost his way at Old Trafford

And having dropped down to fifth in the table the alarm bells are ringing loud that something needs to be done to avoid spending another season in the European wilderness.

There has been a big shift towards parting company with Van Gaal, an option that has become even more attractive with the sudden availability of a world class coach in Mourinho.

Woodward has done his bit by making sure Mourinho is in place if needed, now it is just up to Avram and Joel Glazer to give the nod.

They are not just considering the last six games, they are aware that since April Van Gaal has won just 14 out of 33 matches.

It is the long term downward trend that has seen former players openly criticise his tactics, and over the weekend the supporters finally turned on their manager.

Jose Mourinho has spoken to United about taking over

United have long had a reputation of fans who have stuck by their bosses, but a poll on the respected Red Issue website returned a whopping 88 per cent in favour of sacking Van Gaal immediately.

The Glazer brothers know they cannot gamble with a top four finish or going against the major will of the fans — it is just a case of whether to make the change now, or see if they are any signs of improvement at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

And the big fear is whether delaying until after such a hectic festive period could cost United too many points come the end of the season.