Jose Mourinho to Manchester United: Louis van Gaal set to be sacked if United lose to Shrewsbury

The Dutchman has come in for ferocious criticism after losing in the Europa League to Midtjylland

Louis van Gaal watches his side against Midtjylland (GETTY IMAGES)

Louis van Gaal could reportedly be sacked as Manchester United manager as soon as Monday night if his side continue their losing streak against Shrewsbury Town.

The Dutchman has come in for ferocious criticism after losing in the Europa League round-of-32 to Danish champions Midtjylland on Tuesday night.

The second tier European competition is considered United’s best chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League with Van Gaal’s men six points adrift of the Premier League top four.

According to the Daily Star, defeat at New Meadow could signal the end of his tumultuous stay in the North West.

Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, is believed by the Independent on Sunday to be ‘confident’ of taking over at the end of the campaign as has allegedly told friends at former club Inter Milan that it is already a done deal.

United are set to stage one of their lowest attendances of the 21st century when Midtjylland travel to England for the return leg but they may not have Van Gaal in the dugout.

Inter director Bedy Moratti accidentally revealed on Saturday night that Mourinho “is happy, he’s going to Manchester United”.

The sister of former club president Massimo Moratti and honorary president of the supporters’ group Inter Club spoke as she left a lunch meeting with the Portuguese and her family.

“Of course he’s always fantastic and we missed him as a person here,” she said. When she was asked if that meant he might return to Inter, she added: “No, he’s happy now, he’s going to Manchester.”