Louis van Gaal latest: Manchester United manager 'considering' quitting in the summer and ending contract early

Van gaal has already shown signs of the pressure he is under this season and reports suggest he could leave before he is sacked or his contract expires

Louis van Gaal is believed to be considering his future as Manchester United manager (Getty Images)

Manchester United may not be forced to decide whether to sack manager Louis van Gaal or not, because he could choose to walk out of the club at the end of the season due to the pressure he has come under at Old Trafford.

The Mirror claims that Van Gaal is already weighing up his future as United manager, and with his contract set to expire at the end of next season, it’s believed he could decide to leave earlier than planned. Van Gaal has cut a visibly frustrated – and at times angered – figure this season, and has already walked out of two press conferences.

When United were amidst a run of eight matches without a victory in all competitions, Van Gaal hinted he could choose to quit before he was sacked, although results and performances have since picked up and the 1-0 win over Liverpool last weekend – despite being a drab affair – has led Van Gaal to start talking up United’s title chances.

But despite renewed optimism among those at Old Trafford, it’s claimed that friends of Van Gaal back in the Netherlands are concerned for his wellbeing given the pressure on him to bring success back to United after three baron years.

Van Gaal has already highlighted the effect of what the speculation surrounding his job is doing to his family, but suggestions that he could be replaced as manager will not go away unless their form dramatically improves given that both Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola – widely regarded as the two best coaches in the world – are currently available for next season.

It was reported in mid-week that Mourinho is confident of being in charge at United within six months, with his determination to manage at the club at some point in his career no secret despite having strong ties with their Premier League rivals Chelsea.

With Mourinho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, maintaining strong ties with United officials, it’s believed that the Portuguese is being kept updated with any developments surrounding Van Gaal’s future, and despite the possibility of current assistant manager Ryan Giggs being promoted in the event of Van Gaal’s departure, the lure of Mourinho and Guardiola looks set to rob the Welshman the chance of becoming the next manager.