Manchester United terminate Van Gaal's appoinment

Manchester United’s FA Cup winning manager Louis Van Gaal, has been sacked as boss at the Old Trafford club with immediate effect.

The 64-year-old leaves after two years of a three-year contract and is discussing severance terms believed to be in the region of £5m. He is believed to earn around £6.4m a year.

In his place, as anticipated, Jose Mourinho is expected to be confirmed after the 53-year-old Portuguese meets with senior United officials on Tuesday.

The club were expected to confirm Van Gaal's departure on Monday, having spoken to the Dutchman, but as of 17:00 BST an official announcement was still yet to be made.

It is understood that the club made an offer to club legend and assistant coach Ryan Giggs, for him to stay at Old Trafford, but it is not known what role he would have and whether he would accept. There had been reports last week suggesting that the Englishman would quit the role if Jose Mourinho were to be appointed.

HOW EVENTS HAVE UNFOLDED SO FAR…

The Dutchman arrived at Manchester United's training ground at 08:45 BST on Monday.

Forty-five minutes after his arrival in the morning, League Managers Association lawyer Paul Gilroy QC also drove into Carrington.

Gilroy is the same employment barrister who acted for David Moyes when he was sacked as manager by United in 2014.

He arrived at about 09:30 and was initially refused entry before being allowed in about 15 minutes later, refusing to answer questions about the reason for his presence.

Van Gaal left the ground shortly before 17:00

Gilroy has previously advised and acted for a number of huge football personalities, including Roy Hodgson, Martin O'Neill, Sir Alex Ferguson, Harry Redknapp, Roy Keane, Roberto Martinez, Sam Allardyce, Brendan Rodgers, Alan Pardew, Nigel Pearson and Steve McClaren.

Despite winning the FA Cup, as expected, winning the cup and finishing fifth after last season’s fourth in the Premier League is not good enough for a club of Manchester United’s status.

They only scored 49 league goals - their lowest total since 1989-90.

Mourinho is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday having been sacked by Chelsea last December, just seven months after leading the London club to the Premier League title.