Louis van Gaal has become a lame duck manager at Manchester United after Ed Woodward continued to canvass the opinions of senior players.

Although United’s executive vice-chairman is determined to stand by Van Gaal, he spent a second day speaking with players about the Dutch coach’s methods.

Despite widespread belief that Pep Guardiola, the world’s most wanted football coach is heading for Manchester City at the end of the season, Woodward has not given up hope of luring him to Old Trafford.

Louis van Gaal is on the brink of losing his job at Manchester United after defeat by Southampton

Manchester United's senior players are understood to have lost faith in the under-fire Dutchman

Chief executive Ed Woodward (centre) has been canvassing United players and spoke to them on Saturday

The Old Trafford club have not given up hope of luring Pep Guardiola, who is expected to join rivals City

Van Gaal is facing growing supporter unrest and admitted at the weekend that he was struggling to meet their expectations.

He returns to Carrington on Tuesday after giving the United squad two days off following Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat by Southampton.

Woodward goes into the United dressing room after matches and spoke to players there on Saturday.

Van Gaal was in Holland over the weekend but he is expected to be back for training on Tuesday at Carrington to begin preparations for Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie at Derby.

Van Gaal returned to Holland for his daughter's birthday after giving players two days off

Daley Blind leads his team-mates off the field following a heavily criticised home defeat by Southampton

Manchester United boss Van Gaal holds his head in his hands during an eighth defeat this season

United supporters voice their frustration at Old Trafford following the latest in a series of poor results

UNITED UNDER LOUIS VAN GAAL GAMES MANAGED: 78 WINS: 31 DRAWS: 29 DEFEATS: 18 Advertisement

Although United’s players seem to have lost faith in Van Gaal’s methods, Woodward is reluctant to fire him.

He is aware of the growing resentment towards the manager, but he does not want to sack a second coach within the space of two years.

Although it is not considered to be a rebellion among the players, it is now an open secret that the atmosphere is so strained that many believe change is necessary.

Van Gaal is under massive pressure after falling five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham in the Barclays Premier League after Saturday’s defeat.

Manchester United players struggle to show their enthusiasm during a training session

Crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage has not helped Van Gaal's cause

VAN GAAL'S DEFEATS THIS SEASON August 30 - Lost 2-1 away to Swansea September 15 - Lost 2-1 away to PSV October 4 - Lost 3-0 away to Arsenal December 8 - Lost 3-2 away to Wolfsburg December 12 - Lost 2-1 away to Bournemouth December 19 - Lost 2-1 at home to Norwich December 26 - Lost 2-0 away to Stoke January 23 - Lost 1-0 at home to Southampton Advertisement

United cannot afford to finish outside of the Champions League places this season and face massive financial penalties from their main sponsors if they fail to meet their targets.

Van Gaal was told at the start of the campaign that he was expected to lead the team beyond the group phase of the Champions League and to secure at least third place in the Premier League.

The Dutchman failed to get the team into the knockout phase of the European Cup and United are in danger of blowing their chances of a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Despite the continued support for Van Gaal, United have options elsewhere if they finally decide to sack the Dutchman.

Jose Mourinho, pictured on holiday in China, is desperate to land the job - but United have reservations

United legend and assistant coach Ryan Giggs is in the frame to take the helm should Van Gaal depart

Jose Mourinho wants the job but United are concerned by the prospect of giving the Portuguese coach and his super-agent Jorge Mendes the keys to Old Trafford.

When at Real Madrid and Chelsea, Mourinho brought in clients from Mendes’s stable and it is feared he will go on a wild spending spree to take United back to the top.

Ryan Giggs, who remains on staff as Van Gaal’s coach, remains the likeliest option to take the team until the end of the season if the situation escalates.