Widespread reports that Van Gaal has paid with his job have yet to be followed by official confirmation from the club, with a supposed 1pm statement not coming to fruition.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks almost certain to replace the man he worked with at Barcelona and removal men were spotted outside his London home today.

Those images fuelled already intense speculation, with Mourinho telling cameramen and photographers to "go home" as he will not "leave the house" again.

The Portuguese has kept his counsel since renewed reports emerged on Saturday, while United have steadfastly refused to comment on speculation regarding their managerial situation.

Van Gaal arrived at United's Aon Training Complex at around 8.45am today and was followed into the training ground around an hour later by employment lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, who has long worked with the League Managers Association.

Gilroy lists Van Gaal's predecessor David Moyes among the clients he has advised, with Chambers and Partners describing him as being "renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers".

Van Gaal, who still has a season remaining on his three-year contract, left the training ground around 4.50pm, waving at those waiting outside the gates.

WATCH: Jose Mourinho will bring 'huge success' to @ManUtd, says @Carra23. More here: https://t.co/OzPyGiLfnB #SSNHQ https://t.co/R3S8m1WNjI

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 23, 2016

Mourinho has been out of work since paying for Chelsea's abysmal title defence with his job in December.

The Portuguese has repeatedly spoken of his plans to return to work this summer, and reviving United's fortunes would surely be a mouth-watering proposition for the self-styled 'Special One'.

United, a club synonymous with a swashbuckling, attacking style, managed a paltry 49 league goals - their lowest return for 26 years - and missed out on Champions League qualification to neighbours Manchester City on goal difference.

A first FA Cup win since 2004 was a welcome boost, but captain Wayne Rooney knows the campaign was far from good enough.

"He has been under pressure. I think we all have,'' Rooney said of Van Gaal.

"That's part of playing for Manchester United and managing Manchester United - it is a massive club.

"You have to set standards and we fell below them this season.

"But we have to make sure as players we get back to those standards and make sure we are back challenging for the main trophies."

Success is something former United midfielder and Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins is backing Mourinho to bring back to Old Trafford.

"I think it is the right move," he told talkSPORT. "It is the only move for them. He will get them playing again and he will get them winning again.

"He is a winner - there is no two ways about it. When he goes to a club, normally he wins a big trophy within the first couple of years."

Talk of a new manager at Old Trafford led to an increase in United's share price on the New York Stock Exchange, rising from $16.80 to $17.495 within 96 seconds of trading starting.