FAILURE: VAN GAAL IS RUINING MAN UTD & IT'S TIME FOR HIM TO LEAVE

COMMENT: The Dutchman's days at Old Trafford must surely be running out after another humiliating defeat to Norwich in the Premier League on Saturday
Having gone five games without a win, exited the Champions League, and seen Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola both emerge on the job market this week, the last thing Louis van Gaal needed on Saturday was another defeat.

Yet Manchester United have slumped to fifth in the Premier League table after their 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Old Trafford and the Dutchman might well find himself having to answer for United's abysmal form before Christmas Day rolls around. His three-year contract might not live to see its halfway point.

As if defeats at Wolfsburg and Bournemouth were not enough, a first home reverse of the season to a Norwich side who started the day in the bottom three can only intensify the calls within increasing pockets of the fan base for Van Gaal to be removed from the hot seat. At Manchester United you are expected to get results or entertain, if not both. Right now they are doing neither.

It was notable that Ryan Giggs was seen patrolling the technical area for much of the dying stages as United struggled to find holes in Norwich's back line. Van Gaal has been steadfast in his refusal to be a shouter or cajoler. He always remains sat in his seat throughout wins, draws and losses alike.

But the Welsh number two took it upon himself to provide a presence on the touchline as his side looked for inspiration. And in doing so he was not just getting closer to the players, he was also putting distance between himself and Van Gaal. However deliberate it was, it was also telling.

A United side looking for energy from somewhere have had little from anywhere in recent times. When Ashley Young swung in a low cross which escaped the Norwich back line, Wayne Rooney was caught on the back foot and the chance went begging. It said much about both Rooney's and United's fortunes this season. Too often the captain has been a yard off the pace, and far too familiar is the sight of a United attack falling down at the final hurdle.

RATINGS: WHO FLOPPED FOR MAN UTD?
As the rain poured down late on, United fans began to up and leave. They had seen enough for one day, and they have seen more than enough of their side's failures this season full stop.

Before then they had been noticeably vocal during the second half as they looked to cheer their side on to a crucial comeback but the players just could not respond, and by the end they had given up the ghost. Those that stayed until full-time left nobody in any doubt as to their frustrations, with boos reverberating around the one-time Theatre of Dreams.

The question now is how deep those frustrations run in the boardroom. So far the club have backed Van Gaal to the hilt, but surely this has gone on for far too long. As United's form goes from bad to increasingly desperate, isn’t it about time Van Gaal was shown the door?