Alan Brazil: The clock is ticking for Louis Van Gaal at United

Unfortunately for the Dutchman, neither do the fans. And as far as they are concerned, he’s finished at Old Trafford.

At other clubs, that might be something a manager could survive.

At Manchester United, it’s a huge problem.

I know from experience how brutal the

supporters on the Stretford End can be.

If they don’t like you, they’ll let you know all about it – and 70,000 others will join them.

Try ignoring that when you’re stood on the touchline, or sat in the directors’ box.

Things were bad enough for van Gaal before United were dumped out of the Champions League in midweek.

Now they’re going to get a whole lot worse.

The fans don’t like the football on display, and they don’t like the results it’s getting. And who can blame them?

After United’s devastating loss to Wolfsburg on Wednesday, Van Gaal pointed at statistics as evidence of the progress made on his watch.

Unfortunately for him, there are also a few stats that suggest they have gone backwards.

Firstly, in the league, the Dutchman’s side has conceded more goals and are one place lower in the table than at this time last year.

But most damningly as far as those fans on the Stretford End are concerned, United have racked up five goalless draws this season.

At this stage last year, they had none.

For fans of Manchester United, raised on aggressive, attacking, lightning-quick football, this season has not been anywhere near good enough.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the Red Devils lived up to their nickname.

Now there’s nothing devilish about them, while the red on their shirts is easily matched by the colour of their faces!

That doesn’t sound like progress to me. It sounds like regression.

And all of that after a summer spend of over a hundred million quid! No wonder the fans are raging!

There can be no doubt that’s a serious problem for Louis van Gaal.

But as long as he keeps his side in the mix at the top of the Premier League, I don’t think the board will act.

Why not? Because who would they get to replace him?

Unless they can tie up a Pep Guardiola or a Jose Mourinho, United won’t twist as long as they stay in the top four.

That’s the reality of football at the top level today. Keeping the Champions League money rolling in year after year is the priority.