Manchester United cancel training session following Southampton loss, mull sacking of Louis van Gaal

Manchester United have cancelled their routine post-match warm-down session following the 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Old Trafford on 23 January. Louis van Gaal's future at the club remains uncertain after the latest loss as the Red Devils sit at fifth spot with five points, behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

The day after every fixture, United players visit the Carrington training ground for a 45-90 minute run and the same was expected on Sunday (24 Janaury). According to Goal.com, for the first time under the Dutchman's reign the training session was cancelled.

After the Southampton defeat, fans at Old Trafford booed the team and their manager. Van Gaal has already admitted that his relationship with the Red Devils faithful has hit a new low following the loss to the side managed by Ronaldo Koeman.

Since the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager took over the club, United's win rate has been 49%, the worst record for Old Trafford in the last 30 years. Ex-Red Devils chief executive David Gill has publicly said the 20-time English champions have underachieved under Van Gaal.

"I am not going to sit here and say it is that attractive. For me, what we did in the past was great but you have to have the players to do that," Gill told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek. "Manchester United going back to the 1950s played in a certain way. We want attacking football and I am sure that will be a key part going forward."

The Daily Mail reports executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has held individual meetings with senior players to get their views on Van Gaal. The 64-year-old manager is close to getting the sack with senior players wanting him to be replaced by Ryan Giggs until the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola are reportedly the candidates linked with a move to Old Trafford. The former is without a job after he was sacked from his post at Chelsea in December, while the Spaniard has confirmed he will leave Bayern Munich after the end of the season.

According to the Independent, the former Real Madrid boss has already expressed his desire to United in a six-page letter. It is to be seen whether Van Gaal is shown the door or the club stick to the Dutchman until the end of the 2015/16 campaign.