Louis van Gaal was clinging to his job as Manchester United manager on Friday night, spared only by the reluctance of Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward to admit his mistake and wield the axe.
Senior figures at the club believe United’s executive vice-chairman should have sacked Van Gaal weeks ago, and the humiliating Europa League defeat by Midtjylland in Denmark on Thursday night has only reinforced their view that a change needs to be made now.
However, Woodward has continually put off making a decision, with one insider describing him on Friday as ‘a rabbit in the headlights’.