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Manchester United finally confirmed the sacking of Louis van Gaal on Monday night after a day of meetings to agree his £5.4million compensation package.
Angered that he had been undermined by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward lining up Jose Mourinho as his replacement before Saturday’s FA Cup final, Van Gaal was on Monday joined by the same QC who assisted David Moyes in settling the terms of his departure.
Van Gaal, who spent eight hours at United’s Carrington training ground, feels aggrieved at his treatment and the fact that his finest hour at United was ruined by news of Mourinho’s imminent appointment minutes before what should have been a triumphant press conference at Wembley. He puts the blame on Woodward for what amounts to another massive PR own goal for United.
That is why he went into the meeting with top QC Paul Gilroy and why it took time to agree his terms before two statements were issued at 8.30pm on Monday night.
Woodward agreed to give Van Gaal time to leave the country and head for his holiday home in Portugal before the news of his departure was confirmed. Within minutes of the announcement, Van Gaal’s picture and biography had been removed from the club staff section on the United website. Ryan Giggs remained on the page.
But the club does seem to be in a mess, with the future of Giggs still very much uncertain.
Sources insist Giggs would consider staying if he was offered a senior role on Mourinho’s staff. And while club officials suggested on Monday night that the 42-year-old Welshman has been made an offer, it is thought to be a more junior position than assistant manager; perhaps even a role that sees him provide a link between the first team and the academy and something that would amount to a major demotion given his position as deputy to Moyes and Van Gaal.
Mourinho’s agent Jorge Mendes is expected to meet Woodward on Tuesday.
Mourinho may raid his old club Chelsea as he looks to spend the £200million transfer kitty he will be handed by United this summer.
Mourinho is keen to bring midfielder Nemanja Matic to Old Trafford. He also wants to lure Everton’s central defender John Stones, who he tried to sign at Stamford Bridge. Stones would cost about £45m, while an alternative might be Raphael Varane, whose fee would be £35m from Real Madrid.
Chelsea would look for more than £25m if Mourinho tries to sign Matic. United might target Sporting Lisbon’s Joao Mario at a cost of £35m.
United midfielder Juan Mata, who Mourinho sold to the club from Chelsea, is keen to stay this summer.