Manchester United Fans: LvG Keen To Stay, Giggs To Quit: What Now?
Every matchday weekend is becoming tougher for Manchester United fans as they stare at defeat after nearly every other match. Manchester United have been short of striking force since the beginning of the season, yet the current manager, Louis van Gaal, tends to think otherwise. Manchester United has managed a paltry 28 goals in the league this season after 23 matches and currently have 37 points, their lowest points tally in the history of the Premier League.
During the last few days, there has been a lot of speculation regarding the underperforming Manchester United manager. TalkSport reported that Louis van Gaal had offered to resign as the manager of Manchester United, much to the delight of the club’s die-hard fans, but suggestions that vice Executive Chairman Ed Woodward had actually convinced him to stay rubbed salt in their wounds. However, those reports were soon dismissed.
Reports emerged that LVG was offered to resign as manager for #MUFC Ed Woodward convinced him to stay. pic.twitter.com/o2dLNVdMrf
— Transfer City (@TransferCity_) January 26, 2016
Van Gaal was seen leaving Manchester on Sunday heading to his home nation, the Netherlands, which again sparked speculation regarding his long-term future at Manchester United.
This came following news that the Manchester United manager had cancelled Sunday’s light training session, which usually takes place after playing on a Saturday. Others claimed that Ryan Giggs, Manchester United’s club legend and the current assistant to Louis van Gaal, had taken charge of the team in the absence of the Dutch coach on Monday. This further increased doubts over whether or not LvG was going to take his seat back at Manchester United’s dugout.
However, upon his return from the Netherlands, Mail Online reported that Manchester United may have to stick with LvG if they don’t sack him because, apparently, he has no intention of quitting the club. This may have hurt many Manchester United fans, especially given the way they responded to the club’s most recent defeat inflicted by Southampton FC last weekend.
#MUFC Manchester United: Why Van Gaal won't quit https://t.co/RQwbLD8iHP
— Stuart Mathieson (@StuMathieson7) January 27, 2016
The news that van Gaal intends to continue as the Manager of Manchester United has been greeted with a lot of speculative spin-off stories. For instance, the Guardian reports that Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United position will be reviewed match by match throughout the season. Manchester United’s next match is against second division side Derby County FC, in the FA Cup competition.
On the other hand, Sky Sports has a feature story discussing the questions that Manchester United must find answers to, as they evaluate the future of Louis van Gaal at the club. Ryan Giggs, Pep Guardiola, and Jose Mourinho are key subjects in the feature, with suggestions that Giggs could actually consider quitting his current position as Manchester United’s assistant manager.
In a recent interview, a former Chief Executive and now-board member at Manchester United said that if Giggs wants to become the manager of Manchester United, then he cannot be a No. 2 until that time comes. Elsewhere, John Cross and David McDonnell of the Mirror write that Manchester United Chiefs are worried that Ryan Giggs could quit the club if Louis van Gaal is sacked and someone else is made manager.
The events that have been taking place at Manchester United in the recent past are not only causing a concern with regard to the club’s immediate future, but also the long-term future. Ryan Giggs has been LvG’s understudy for a reason. Even van Gaal himself has endorsed him on numerous occasions as the next manager of Manchester United. However, with the club performing so poorly, it is doubtful whether or not Manchester United would be willing to hand the job to the legendary player, especially now that there are a number of experienced and proven managers available on the market.
At the moment, Louis van Gaal looks set to see out his contract at the club unless he is sacked. This will not go down well with Manchester United fans, as recent performances suggest that a change is inevitable.
So who should be appointed as the next manager of Manchester United if van Gaal is sacked? Giggs, Mourinho, Pep, or someone else? Manchester United fans, post your opinions in the comments section, please.
[Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]
