Manchester United sacks Van Gaal as Mourinho prepares to take over

Manchester United finally put Louis van Gaal out of his misery Monday.

The club ended rampant speculation over the future of the Dutchman, confirming the firing of the much-maligned bench boss just two days after he led the Red Devils to an FA Cup triumph.

"I would like to thank Louis and his staff for their excellent work in the past two years culminating in winning a record-equalling 12th FA Cup for the club (and securing him a title in four different countries). He has behaved with great professionalism and dignity throughout his time here. He leaves us with a legacy of having given several young players the confidence to show their ability on the highest stage. Everyone at the club wishes him all the best in the future," executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement.

To coincide with the sacking of the 64-year-old, the BBC reports United will officially introduce Jose Mourinho as manager on Tuesday.

Related - Report: Mourinho to be appointed Manchester United manager this week

Van Gaal, who joined the club in 2014 on a three-year contract, arrived at United's Carrington training ground Monday, where he was reportedly greeted by an employment barrister from the League Managers Association.

And while there have been conflicting claims over the past two days over just how much the well-travelled tactician knew about his impending dismissal - De Telegraaf reported Monday that he was entirely unaware of any imminent firing for both himself and his staff - the writing has long been on the wall.

A combination of uninspiring football, questionable decisions in the transfer market - though not all of that is solely on Van Gaal, of course - and ultimately, lacklustre results for a club that demands constant success paved the way for Monday's announcement.

Van Gaal himself seemed to indicate that his tenure with the storied side was "over" on Saturday, though United did its best to convince everyone that he was actually talking about the past season, and not his time on the bench.

Related: Van Gaal deserved better than to have FA Cup win marred by Mourinho talk

Van Gaal, crucified throughout the season for the tedious, often miserable style of play he implemented, oversaw a historically barren season at United, as the Red Devils scored just 49 goals en route to a disappointing fifth-place finish in the Premier League. Sunderland, who avoided relegation by two points, found the net 48 times this past season.

In the wake of Saturday's initial report that Mourinho is set to replace him, questions have been raised over his apparently abrasive, almost paranoid managerial style, with the Guardian, citing sources from inside the club, claiming the players were often on the brink of mutiny against him.

It reached the point where many players regarded international breaks as a welcome break and the chance to play in a relaxed atmosphere away from a manager they never fully understood and who, to borrow one description, was thought of as “weird”.

That has been coupled with an onslaught of reports claiming various players, most notably shot-stopper extraordinaire David De Gea, were considering leaving the club if Van Gaal remained on the touchline heading into the 2016-17 campaign.

And though much of it feels like the unnecessary kicking of someone who is clearly down, it's difficult to deny that his risk-averse football did not deliver the promised results.

Related: 10 worst moments from Van Gaal's time at Manchester United

In the end, that, and not his lack of a warm touch with his players, was the deciding factor in an announcement that felt inevitable ever since Jose Mourinho became available.