Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has been sacked as manager of Manchester United, with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho set to be named as his replacement.

Van Gaal, 64, according to BBC Sport, leaves after two years of a three-year contract and is currently discussing severance terms. The former Netherlands boss is believed to earn around £6.4m a year.

Mourinho’s appointment is expected to be confirmed after the 53-year-old Portuguese meets with senior United officials on Tuesday.

It is not yet certain what future Ryan Giggs, Van Gaal’s assistant, has at Old Trafford or what will happen to the rest of the coaching team.

BBC Sport reported on Saturday that United’s FA Cup win over Crystal Palace would be Van Gaal’s last game in charge.

BBC sports editor, Dan Roan reported on Saturday, that Van Gaal’s sacking would be confirmed on Monday. He arrived at Manchester United’s training ground at 0845 BST on Monday.

Jose Mourinho

Forty-five minutes later, League Managers Association lawyer Paul Gilroy QC also drove into Carrington.

Gilroy is the same employment barrister who acted for David Moyes when he was sacked as manager by United in 2014. Gilroy arrived around 0930 and was initially refused entry.

He returned approximately 15 minutes later and was allowed in, refusing to answer questions about the reason for his presence.

According to his profile page on the Nine St John Street Chambers website, Gilroy has advised and acted for a number of football clients.

They include Roy Hodgson, Martin O’Neill, Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Roy Keane, Roberto Martinez, Sam Allardyce, Brendan Rodgers, Alan Pardew, Nigel Pearson and Steve McClaren.

Van Gaal took control of United after leading the Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Old Trafford club finished fourth in the Premier League in his first season in charge to qualify for the Champions League. But they finished fifth this term and will play in the Europa League next season.

They only scored 49 league goals, too, their lowest total since 1989-90.

Saturday’s FA Cup success at Wembley gave United a first trophy since Sir Alex Ferguson delivered the Premier League title in 2013 in his last season before retirement, but it was not enough to stop Van Gaal from losing his job.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea last December, just seven months after leading the London club to the Premier League title.

Credit: BBC Sport