A large number of Manchester United fans are calling for the club to sack Louis van Gaal at the end of an uninspiring Premier League campaign.
Tuesday night’s 3-2 loss at the hands of West Ham United meant that Manchester United’s place in next season’s Champions League hangs in the balance.
Ahead of the game at the Boleyn ground, Champions League qualification was in Manchester United’s hands. Winning their remaining two Premier League matches against West Ham and Crystal Palace would have guaranteed a top four finish for the Red Devils.
However, the defeat to West Ham on Tuesday night means that Manchester United will now have to depend on Swansea City to keep their Champions League qualification dreams alive. Only a defeat for City on the final day and a victory for United against Bournemouth at Old Trafford will see the latter make it into the top four. Manchester City, on the other hand, need just a draw to secure 4th place.
The record that Van Gaal does not want
However, there is more than just Champions League status that is at stake as Manchester United take on Bournemouth in their last Premier League match of the season. United must win against Bournemouth to avoid recording their lowest points tally in a Premier League season.
Now, that is a record that Van Gaal does not want against his name.
The lowest points total that Manchester United have recorded in the Premier League era till date is 64, which was achieved two seasons ago under the managerial reign of David Moyes.
The Red Devils are currently on 63 points, only a win against Bournemouth will help Van Gaal avert the unwanted record.
Will Van Gaal get a chance to redeem himself?
Although Manchester United are much closer to the top four than they were a couple of seasons ago, a loss against Bournemouth on Sunday will see them record their lowest points tally in the Premier League era.
This will definitely not sit well with the fans and the top bosses at the club. However, Manchester United have shown a significant improvement over the course of the season, ever since Van Gaal shifted from the 4-2-3-1 to the 4-1-4-1 setup.
With one year still left on his contract, it might be more economically viable for Manchester United to let Van Gaal’s contract run out than to sack him. United’s recent upturn in form and the board’s reported reluctance in hiring Jose Mourinho might result in another season for Van Gaal at the helm of the club.
