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Louis Van Gaal’s Awful Treatment And Prolonged Sacking Is Now Just Depressing

There was a moment in Louis Van Gaal’s press conference after United’s draw with Chelsea where - and I’m paraphrasing - he was asked (via BBC), “Do you think [Manchester United’s recent good performances are] important as the club are actively trying to replace you?”

Van Gaal’s calculated sip of water was a tantalising precursor to yet another rant from the current Manchester United manager against the media, which have, according to his calculations, already sacked him around 3 or 4 times in recent months.

He asked the journalist if he’d “spoken to Ed Woodward” and why the club needed to deny a story that he was adamant had been invented. Instead, the journalist insisted that because Manchester United hadn’t denied the story that translated as confirmation.

It was utterly depressing to watch.

It was also the latest example of just how poorly Louis Van Gaal has been treated by the press over the last few months.

Sure, the Dutch manager’s record has been far from impressive, with United’s current position (six and 12 points off the Champions League and top of the table, respectively) atrocious considering how much Louis Van Gaal has spent. And that’s before we even begin to talk about the style of football that would have rendered fans apoplectic if they weren’t so bored.

But the guerrilla warfare nature of the press attacks on Louis Van Gaal is the sort of abuse that, during Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure at Old Trafford, Manchester United fans used to look down upon and deride.

With Jose Mourinho now set to become Manchester United’s third manager in three years, and David Moyes and Louis Van Gaal’s sackings the equivalent of a dog being taken out back and shot, United have set themselves on a path that means this is now probably the norm.

Despite the fact that we are only at the beginning of February, with three months left of the season to go, Louis Van Gaal’s sacking is, according to the press, already confirmed.

Manchester City’s appointment of Pep Guardiola has forced Ed Woodward and Manchester United’s hand, and they have gone with the option of someone that is more likely to subdue their noisy neighbours’ advance. Sure it won’t be stylish, and probably won’t even be attacking. But needs must. The narrative has been etched in stone.

Forget the fact that Manchester United have actually been showing improvement over the last few games, with Van Gaal having finally stumbled upon a team, balance, and system that is both, relatively entertaining and sturdy.

Despite the disappointment of United’s draw with Chelsea, United are actually on an, albeit slight, upward turn. They’ve found their best line-up, and also have the talent for it to manifest into something more permanent. Especially if Louis Van Gaal makes one or two carefully selected signings in the summer.

The press aren’t willing to give that even a slight consideration though. Their minds are made up and Jose Mourinho, courtesy of unconfirmed sources, rumours, and hearsay, will become Manchester United’s new manager in the summer. They’ll take the silence as confirmation.

Mourinho’s apparently already telling friends about it too. So there’s no need to have any decorum or consideration for Van Gaal.

In the end, Mourinho’s impending appointment is probably the safest option for the club to take. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t been depressing to watch unfold though.

[Image via Getty/Clive Mason & Sandra Behne]