Louis van Gaal Given Manchester United 'Ultimatum' Amid Jose Mourinho Rumours

Louis van Gaal has reportedly been given a stay of execution at Old Trafford because the Manchester United hierarchy is eager to stick to its word.

According to ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney, before United's humiliating 2-1 home defeat to Norwich City on Saturday, Van Gaal was given an ultimatum that demanded he get at least two wins from United's next three games.

The report indicated that, with Stoke City to play on Boxing Day and Chelsea on Dec. 28, club officials are to "stand by their word" and give the Dutchman the chance to save his job, although some had hoped he would resign following the defeat to the Canaries.

Van Gaal's United future is hanging by a thread, and Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe is doubtful he will last the season, especially with Jose Mourinho now available to take over after recently being sacked by Chelsea:

The Portuguese is undoubtedly the front-runner to replace Van Gaal should the 64-year-old be jettisoned. But he is far from a shoo-in to be United's next manager.

Per Delaney, United are still holding out hope of appointing Pep Guardiola, and they do not believe that his mooted summer move from Bayern Munich to Manchester City is a done deal.

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Thus, they are hesitant to fire Van Gaal and bring in Mourinho as his replacement, lest they blow their chance of Guardiola arriving at Old Trafford in the summer.

There is little doubt, though, that things need to improve fast at United for there not to be a managerial change soon.

Not only have the Red Devils' results been poor of late—they have not won any of their last six games—but their style of play has been a sticking point all season as well.

United fans were prepared to put up with such ponderous play earlier in 2015-16, when their side remained within touching distance of the top of the table, but they have now turned on the manager, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

A run of eight matches in which United have won only twice, lost to Norwich and Bournemouth, and scored just seven times has seen them drop to fifth in the Premier League, nine points back from league-leading Leicester City.

It seems that anything other than two wins against Stoke and Chelsea will see Van Gaal fired after around 19 months in charge.

If Mourinho does indeed replace him, there is little chance that United will return to the swashbuckling attacking style fans were used to under Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, he has been successful in the Premier League—his recent troubles with Chelsea notwithstanding—and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry believes he could be a good fit:

In all likelihood, Van Gaal will still be in charge when United travel to face the Potters at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.

However, with a defeat to Stoke or a repeat of the 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture last season, the former Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Ajax boss could be unceremoniously dumped before the year is out.