When you see the same story splashed across the back page of all the English papers, it's fairly clear that an unofficial press release has come out of a Premier League club. In this case it concerns Louis van Gaal and it would seem that Man United are trying to ease fans' concerns by letting it be known that if the team continues along the current path, Van Gaal will lose his job.
The usual suspects on the Man United beat are all reporting this morning that Louis van Gaal will be out of a job following the surprise defeat to Norwich, if United lose to either of Stoke and Chelsea over the Christmas period.
All in all, it's a fairly good suggestion that word has come down from Ed Woodward that the club is listening to the discontent among fans. It would seem that, should the need come for Van Gaal to be removed midway through his three year contract, that step will be taken.
The sight of Ryan Giggs prowling the touchline on Saturday was a damning one for Van Gaal. His confidence in the face of adversity has always seemed like his greatest strength but one way or another this appeared to be a changing of the guard. With Jose Mourinho available immediately and Pep Guardiola available in the summer, time is very much running out for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.
United travel to Stoke on St. Stephen's Day and then host Chelsea just two days later. At the best of times, they're a couple of very tricky games and if today's reports are to be believed it would seem likely that Van Gaal will be out of a job before 2016 begins.
If all it takes is one bad result from those two games, recent performances would suggest that it will be very difficult for Van Gaal to overcome the ultimatum that has been laid out in front of him.
