Man United fans split on whether to replace Louis van Gaal with Jose Mourinho

Manchester United supporters are split over whether they want Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford.

Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea this week, has been so heavily linked with the job that many bookmakers have him at evens to be in charge in Manchester in future.

Van Gaal, who has been criticised for his team’s boring style of play this season, is also favourite to be the next Premier League manager sacked.

For United fans it is a conundrum.

Fed up with the poor fare being served up at Old Trafford they realise Mourinho would be a big improvement — despite his downfall this season he has never managed a club without winning a trophy since beginning his career in earnest at Porto.

But would the Special One, so heavily associated with Chelsea and so lacking in diplomacy, be the right figurehead for a club with such a global appeal?

“It’s a really difficult one,” said Barney Chilton of Manchester United fanzine Red News.

“I just don’t know. Half my mates want him, half hate him and don’t like the idea.

“I would say on average more dislike him — but know he’d win whatever his style.

“Having said that, he doesn’t leave a long term stability, which is what we need, so that’s an issue.

“But the way United is now anything could happen.”

If United fans can’t decide then the United board has an even tougher decision.

Mourinho all but guarantees trophies but United must also consider the heritage of the club and the future of the current incumbent.

Bobby Charlton would by particularly wary of the baggage Mourinho brings.

However, Ferguson has formed a close friendship with the Portuguese — they still talk regularly — so nothing can be ruled out.

Regarding Van Gaal’s future, however, there may be greater clarity with fans rapidly falling out of love with a manager who is failing to deliver the style of football they crave.

“It’s been dull and you wonder what Fergie thinks when he watches,” said Chilton.

“But United’s off-field events are fascinating to watch even if the football isn’t — and if I was a gambling man I’d say we’ll see another changing of the guard by the summer.

“But as to whether we’d like it to be Mourinho, I don’t know. I can see the pros and the cons but just have no idea which way to settle.”