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Manchester United set to announce Louis van Gaal fate amid sack reports

Manchester United are expected to announce the end of Louis van Gaal's reign once the sides have agreed to a severance package.

Reuters had said that the statement was due at 1 p.m. BT but no announcement was made, with the Daily Mirror saying it would be issued later in the afternoon.

Van Gaal arrived at United's Carrington training ground on Monday morning and was soon joined by League Managers Association lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, an employment barrister who previously represented David Moyes.

Sources close to the deal told ESPN FC at the weekend that Jose Mourinho is set to replace Van Gaal this week despite the Dutchman winning the FA Cup on Saturday.

The club have yet to comment on the situation, and Mourinho himself refused to confirm the reports when asked about the job by Press Association Sport ahead of David Haye's fight on Saturday evening.

It had been suggested that Van Gaal had effectively confirmed his departure when he told Sky Sports News "It's over" on Saturday, but United indicated to the Daily Mirror that he was referring to the season rather than his tenure with the club.

De Telegraaf reported on Monday morning that Van Gaal and his coaching staff had been given no indication that any dismissals were imminent.

Goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek said in the Dutch newspaper that he was enjoying working with David De Gea and added: "I also have a contract for another year."

Van Gaal was appointed on a three-year deal in 2014, but he has struggled to win over supporters due to the team's failure to regularly play attacking football, and The Guardian has claimed he faces similar opposition in the dressing room.

The report said players feel significant "disillusionment" with Van Gaal's management and that some have even discussed defying his tactical instructions.

Van Gaal confirmed earlier this season that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had approached him over their concerns about the dressing-room atmosphere, although the coach said at the time that it was a positive sign.

The Guardian said that Van Gaal afterwards "started sending the players individual emails detailing their faults and submitting video clips to highlight his dissatisfaction" but that many ignored his missives. The report claims he then started tracking the emails to see whether they were opened and for how long they were viewed, but he still struggled to get his message across.

The newspaper also repeated a claim from the Daily Telegraph last week that De Gea has been considering pressing for a transfer if Van Gaal remains in charge due a breakdown in their relationship.

However, The Guardian said that many members of the squad had hoped to see assistant manager Ryan Giggs promoted to the top job.

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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