Manchester United Reportedly Hold Meeting over Louis van Gaal's Future

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward reported for a meeting at the club's London headquarters on Tuesday, as manager Louis van Gaal's future lies at risk.

Neil Custis of the Sun noted the meeting convened at lunchtime, before LvG's scheduled press conference on Wednesday for the Boxing Day fixture against Stoke City in the Premier League.

Custis wrote:

"

Ed Woodward headed into a meeting at Manchester United’s London HQ today with Louis van Gaal's job on the line.

The executive vice-chairman went into the meeting at 1pm and it was due to finish mid-afternoon.

The club have been tightlipped over Van Gaal's future since Saturday's defeat to Norwich City.

"

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

United have not won in six matches in all competitions, losing their last game in the league on Dec. 19 against Norwich City 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Van Gaal's tenure has been called into question because of recent results but also due to his style of play, which has been uninspiring and slow.

The attack has faltered in LvG's 18 months at the club, as he failed to replace the collective talents of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao and Javier Hernandez in the summer.

Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

The lack of prowess in the forward line has seen the Red Devils crash out of the Champions League—from a relatively easy group—and slip in the Premier League standings after leading the division for a time.

United now lie 10th in the Premier League form guide, collecting only two points from their last four league matches. 

ESPN FC's Alex Shaw directly criticised the club for their managerial appointments of the past few seasons, after the failed tenure of David Moyes and Van Gaal's installation:

Jon Super/Associated Press

United have the choice to replace LvG with a former playing legend or one of Europe's most successful managers, per Mark Ogden of the Independent.

Ryan Giggs and Jose Mourinho are polar opposites in terms of personality and experience, but United fans want to see attacking football at the Theatre of Dreams, rather than a pragmatic European style.

Former United assistant manager Steve Round told Sky Sports News HQ that Giggs deserves his chance as the Red Devils boss, as quoted by Allan Valente of Sky Sports:

"

I would hope so, I think that is the right and proper succession plan for Manchester United.

Ryan was an absolutely magnificent player; he is certainly one of the best players I've ever worked with in the short period of time I was there. He was phenomenal, even at 39 years of age.

Then he has stepped into coaching, with us he was part-coach, part-player. Now he has stepped into being an assistant manager - the natural progression for him is to go on to be a manager.

You would assume that would be at Manchester United; that's what they are grooming him for and getting him ready to take over eventually when that time comes. I think that is only right and proper - he needs and deserves to have that opportunity.

"

Van Gaal was always going to have a short reign at United due to his age, but he was brought in to provide stability during a time of turmoil. 

He provided this as he ruthlessly dealt with the Old Trafford squad, but he has failed to attract the level of talent needed to push United forward.

The club needs an iconic figure to spearhead their challenge in the years ahead, with the coaching brain to cope with the attacking expectations of a traditional United side. 

Mourinho has the acumen to take United back to the top of European football, but Giggs would be a popular choice amongst the Old Trafford faithful.