Man United players ‘bemused’ by LVG situation

Manchester United’s players are reportedly ‘bemused’ by the uncertainty regarding Louis van Gaal’s future at Manchester United.

The Guardian claims that Van Gaal’s job ‘is being reviewed on a match-by-match basis’ and that Van Gaal’s authority ‘is receding with each dismal performance’.

Although there is no doubt that certain players have responded to Van Gaal’s methods – Chris Smalling is clearly one such player – there are suggestions that other, more attacking players feel stifled by the Dutchman’s methods.

As Joe Bernstain writes for MailOnline: ‘For Van Gaal, it was my way or the high way from the start. Players like Chris Smalling were genuinely helped by his attention to detail, particularly in defending. But in general, the players couldn’t understand why they were out on the training pitch for three hours and came in with dry shirts. Until someone pointed out they’d done more listening to Van Gaal than running or kicking a ball.’

Woodward is said to be keen to keep Van Gaal – at least until the summer – and is reluctant to give the job to Ryan Giggs on a temporary basis once again. He is said to be unconvinced about Jose Mourinho, and The Guardian suggest a whole raft of alternatives: Giggs on a permanent basis, Gary Neville, Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone, Mauricio Pochettino, Marcelo Bielsa and Jorge Sampaoli.