Louis van Gaal safe as no one wants Manchester United job

STAYING PUT: No one wants to take over the United job until the summer

Executive vice-chairman Woodward has so far refused to axe beleaguered boss Van Gaal despite United’s awful season.

Things reached a new low on Thursday with their woeful Europa League defeat to Danish minnows Midtjylland.

Now United face three crucial games which will make-or-break their season.

Van Gaal’s men travel to League One Shrewsbury in the FA Cup fifth round on Monday, host Midtjylland in the Europa League second leg on Thursday before title-chasing Arsenal visit Old Trafford a week tomorrow.

But Starsport understands Woodward will still resist sacking Van Gaal even if United lose all three, with No.2 Ryan Giggs not interested in taking the job on a caretaker basis, and Jose Mourinho unwilling to take the job on until the summer.

With no plan B, United have no alternative but to keep Van Gaal in charge.

Mourinho is the man United want and believe they have.

But the former Chelsea boss is not prepared to risk a bad start by taking charge of a team that is ravaged by injuries, low on confidence, and has little prospect of winning a trophy this season.

Yesterday he said: "My next club? I really do not know, but one thing is certain - I love football and I will return with the same passion and ambition I’ve always had.

"Right now I have respect for every coach at every club.

"I’m not looking for a club, but there are clubs that are looking for me."

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