JOSE MOURINHO is confident he will be the next manager of Manchester United.
Van Gaal was heckled by supporters as he walked to the tunnel at full-time, as executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and former manager Sir Alex Ferguson watched on.
The 64-year-old admitted after the game he was disappointed not to reach the expectations of fans and raised the spectre of resignation.
And according to The Times, sacked Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is increasingly optimistic about his chances of getting the United job.
But if results under the Dutchman continue to deteriorate then Mourinho could be brought in before then.
Van Gaal came close to offering a parting statement in the wake of defeat to Southampton, saying: "I'm very disappointed that I cannot reach the expectations of the fans.
"They have or they have had great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that."
And defeat in Friday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Derby could even see the Red Devils fire Van Gaal, if he hasn't resigned by that point.
Mourinho is available and wants the job while assistant Ryan Giggs is also in the frame.
The previous United regime, led by former chief executive David Gill, legendary boss Ferguson and director Sir Bobby Charlton, had concerns about the Portuguese boss.
"It has been a season of underachievement, given the investment that was made in the summer," Gill said.
"I'm not going to sit here and say it [the football] is that attractive. What we did in the past was great. You have to have the players to do that.
"We need to stay calm and act with the club in mind in terms of proposals and targets, and where it is moving forward. The wider point is for Ed Woodward and the owners to discuss in which direction the club is going."
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