Come on in and join the club! Get our daily Manchester United email newsletter Sign me up! Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Manchester United are facing a major dilemma over Ryan Giggs’ future at Old Trafford.

Under-pressure Louis van Gaal returned to Manchester on Tuesday to take training after a trip home to Holland, with the knowledge United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward determined to stand by him.

But Van Gaal could still walk away if he feels he cannot turn the Red Devils’ form around and if their place in the top four becomes in greater jeopardy.

And Mirror Sport understands that the Old Trafford top brass are worried Giggs could end his 28-year association with the club and walk away if he is overlooked in the event of Van Gaal quitting.

United playing legend Giggs, 42, would be at the front of the queue if Van Gaal goes, with jobless former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho the other leading contender.

READ MORE:5 possible plans of action for United

Final straw? Man United's weekend loss to Southampton in pictures:

Insiders at the club insist they will not waste their time trying to recruit Pep Guardiola because the outgoing Bayern Munich boss has already committed himself to Manchester City, albeit not publically.

They also fear that Giggs would be reluctant to be No 2 again under another manager without receiving major assurances about his future.

And if they do end up going for Mourinho that would raise serious questions about whether Giggs has a future at Old Trafford.

The Welshman may also be reluctant to be caretaker boss again, unless it leads to a permanent job.

United have insisted Van Gaal did NOT offer to resign after their defeat to Southampton on Saturday, but the backlash from the fans has hit the 64-year-old hard — and he has resigned from six of his eight jobs in the past.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

As we revealed on Tuesday, Woodward has told those close to him that he has absolutely no intention of sacking Van Gaal.

He remains defiant and believes the veteran Dutch coach can still turn around a season that could yet end with Champions League qualification and silverware even if the title looks a long shot.

As Van Gaal returned to Carrington after the players were given two days off, Woodward was in London conducting other club business so the pair did not meet on Tuesday.

Despite the full backing of Woodward and United, Van Gaal knows he cannot allow United, currently fifth, to slide further down the table or suffer an ignominious FA Cup exit on Friday night away to Championship opponents Derby.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty)

Just five points separate United from 10th-placed Watford and Van Gaal is acutely aware he will be out of a job if the Red Devils got cut adrift from the top four and end up mired in mid-table.

He has been accused of suppressing the natural flair of his players with his rigid tactics, with £36million summer signing Anthony Martial a case in point.

The 20-year-old striker hit four goals in his first four games in an explosive start to his Old Trafford career, but has managed just three in the next 19 appearances.

READ MORE:

Van Gaal has been accused of wrecking the young Frenchman’s confidence by playing him out of position in a wide role, but team-mate Daley Blind has backed Martial to regain his very best form.

(Image: Matthew Peters/Man Utd) (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty)

The Dutch defender said: “He is a bit quiet, he is still young. He is always in for a joke and he’s a good lad.

“If he is working that hard, like he is now — improving and improving each week — then he can become a really great striker.

“He is very quick, of course, he is strong and I think he is really calm in front of the goal. He has everything needed to become a great striker.

“Now he is evolving and performing in the training sessions, working hard on and off the pitch with his languages and personality, he is coming along really well.”

READ MORE: