Man Utd News: Van Gaal on Mourinho as crisis talks held

Louis van Gaal has once again addressed reports that Jose Mourinho is set to replace him - claiming it is influencing the players.

Express Sport understands Mourinho, 53, has been lined up to take over from Van Gaal at the end of the season.

Mourinho, sacked by Chelsea back in December, spoke yesterday about his desire to get back into management.

Dutchman Van Gaal may walk at the end of the season - a year before his contract expires.

"Maybe it can be an influence because there is a lot of criticism," 64-year-old Van Gaal said, when discussing that effect the reports are having on his players.

"But they have to use their tools to ignore the criticism because that's very important - not only the criticism of their manager but also of themselves.

"That is also always a means to prepare yourself properly. It should not be an influencing subject."

Crisis talks

While Van Gaal is faced with growing reports that he could lose his job this summer, it is claimed the boss is also fighting dissatisfaction among his own ranks.

The Daily Mail claim United's players have been called to one-to-one crisis meetings with Van Gaal in an effort to solve fundamental flaws in the group.

Van Gaal is said to have spoken to every player involved in the 2-1 Europa League loss to Midtjylland last week.

The meetings took place in a conference room last Friday, with each player spending around 20 minutes alone with the manager.

They were asked to explain what went wrong during the defeat in Denmark and how things can improve.

United earned a 3-0 FA Cup win over Shrewsbury on Monday - a small sign of progress ahead of their Europa League second leg with Midtjylland tonight.

However, they face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday - a much bigger test of the team's resolve.