Louis van Gaal 'sacked by Man Utd' as Jose Mourinho prepares to step in

Manchester United have sacked manager Louis van Gaal two years into a three-year contract, and just two days after he lifted the FA Cup at Wembley.

Van Gaal has paid the price for United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League after finishing the Premier League season in fifth place, as well as alienating legions of United fans, who had grown frustrated at the football on show at Old Trafford over the past two years. 

Jose Mourinho will be appointed as his successor, although United have still not officially confirmed Van Gaal's departure or the identity of their new manager.

According to widespread reports, Van Gaal was informed of his fate in a meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at the club’s Carrington training ground. An official statement is expected at around 1pm.

Van Gaal was brought to United in the summer of 2014 as a replacement for David Moyes and was handed around £250 million to spend over his two seasons in charge as United sought to return to the pinnacle of European football.

However, a first FA Cup in 12 years was not sufficient to keep him in place after United missed out on Champions League football in the final round of fixtures, with fans leaving Wembley on Saturday evening already chanting Mourinho’s name.

Goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek, assistant Albert Stuivenberg and performance analyst Max Reckers have also been sacked as United clear the decks in anticipation of the arrival of Mourinho. There has been no word on what the future holds for Ryan Giggs, who assisted Van Gaal and was linked with the full job.

Van Gaal reportedly offered to resign as manager at least twice during the club's difficult Premier League campaign.