Man United Uncovered: What the Glazer family and chief Woodward think about Van Gaal

LOUIS VAN GAAL'S return to Holland for his daughter's birthday will offer him some brief respite from the gathering storm back at Old Trafford.But Van Gaal will find it hard to enjoy the family gathering against a back drop of fans turning against him, players unhappy with his tactics and philosophy and Manchester United's hierarchy deeply concerned at the clubs' plight.

They appear to be caught in a stick-or-twist quandary with their hopes of salvaging the season hanging in the balance.

Executive vice chairman Ed Woodward – who advises the Glazer family, the club's American owners - is understood to want to keep faith with the manager he appointed 20 months ago, at least until the end of the season in the hope he can turn the season round and finish in third place, which would mark clinch automatic qualification for next season's Champions League and a one position improvement on last season.

Woodward must be wavering however if reports are correct that he has consulted senior players and members of the coaching staff for their views of the crisis.

Other senior figures at the club are not so sure. They are so alarmed by a disastrous campaign they would not be averse to a change now however de-stabilising a mid-season change can prove. Their view is 'can it get any worse than this?'Ultimately, the decision rests with the Glazers and they are such a secretive family no-one has any idea what they are planning.

What is certain is that they will be deeply concerned – and cannot ignore – the fact that supporters booed the manager and players off the pitch on Saturday.

And that after spending over £300million since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013, United have their lowest points and goals totals after 23 games in the Premier League era on top of already being out of the Champions League and Capital One Cup.

Remarkably, the Premier League has been so unpredictable and competitive that despite winning only two of their last 10 League games, United are still only five points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.

But they are also only five points ahead of 10th placed Watford and the way they are playing, a mid-table finish is far more likely than a top-four place.

They have failed to score in 10 games in all competitions this season – seven at home, three away – and, most alarmingly, they appear to be making no discernible progress under Van Gaal.