Revealed: What really led to the sacking of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United

Louis van Gaal

For a man fond of throwing phrases like “horny” and “sex masochism” into his interviews, there was nothing remotely arousing about Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United - and his players knew it.

In fact, the football played under Van Gaal proved a major turn-off, uninspiring and insipid, the antidote to the thrilling style on which United’s rich attacking heritage was built.

Van Gaal lost his job because of that lack of identity on the pitch and his divisive managerial approach, United sacking him with a year still left on his £6million-a-year contract.

The fear of a full-on dressing room mutiny ultimately proved the decisive factor in his sacking, United fearing a host of senior players would push to leave this summer if he remained.

Woodward was worried the likes of Michael Carrick and David De Gea would exit, while other big names like Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata were known to be unhappy under Van Gaal.

Veteran midfielder Carrick made it clear that he would not sign a new deal if Van Gaal remained, such was the disillusionment among the players.

De Gea, who had seen a deadline day move to Real Madrid collapse last summer, was also looking for an escape route as he grew increasingly frustrated Van Gaal’s methods.

But Mourinho’s arrival is now likely to see De Gea stay, with the pair sharing the same agent, the supremely-powerful Jorge Mendes.

Even FA Cup success was not enough to convince the United hierarchy that the 64-year-old Van Gaal deserved to see out his final year.

It has been a slow fall from grace for the Dutchman, described as a “genius” by Ed Woodward in early December, when United were one point off top spot, only to be relieved of his duties by the executive vice-chairman five months later.

Back then, Woodward could not have foreseen the nightmare ahead, United exiting the Champions League then losing three successive Premier League games, as the much-heralded second season under Van Gaal began to unravel.

Sensing brooding discontent among United’s players with Van Gaal’s autocratic and out-of-touch approach, which was accompanied by increasingly poor performances and results, Woodward began the process of sounding out Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho, 53, sacked from his second spell at Chelsea just before Christmas, needed time out from football, but a tacit agreement was struck that he would replace Van Gaal should United dispense with the Dutchman.

Van Gaal’s continued presence also threatened to sabotage United’s hopes of making high-profile signings.

They held meetings with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but the Borussia Dortmund striker’s representatives made it clear they were not interested as long as Van Gaal was in charge.

Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, top of Mourinho’s wanted list, made it clear he was not interested in joining United while Van Gaal remained.

Now, with Van Gaal gone, United are in pole position to secure Ibrahimovic, a free agent after his deal with Paris Saint Germain expired, the Sweden skipper reuniting with Mourinho after their spell together at Inter Milan.

Mirror Sport revealed in December that Wayne Rooney and Carrick led a delegation to Van Gaal to try to voice their frustrations on behalf of the whole dressing room.

They were fed-up with the training regime, the inflexible “supper club” [the late night team meetings] imposed by Van Gaal and the regimented arrangements at the training ground forcing players to sit on certain tables.

Players complained of Van Gaal’s negativity, boring video sessions and analysis, while some felt Bastian Schweinsteiger was afforded special treatment, the Germany skipper making frequent visits back to his homeland.

Dutch winger Memphis Depay also seemed to be above criticism, despite turning up for an Under-21s game in his Rolls Royce, despite being urged not to because it would give the wrong impression.

Woodward and the United hierarchy were aware of the growing discontent with Van Gaal and felt they had no choice but to terminate his contract and begin a new chapter with Mourinho.

 

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