By Manchester United’s standards, 2014 was a disappointing calendar year for the English Premier League club. 2015 went only slightly better, but the club went through the entire month of December without a win, crashing out of the Champions League, a competition where the Red Devils were considered perennial title contenders not long ago.

2016 has started much better for the club, especially when one solely looks at the results. They began with a win over Swansea, before needing a late penalty to see off Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup – the stage where all EPL & Championship clubs enter the competition. It wasn’t a convincing performance by any means, but in the Cup’s single-elimination format, any kind of win will do. United followed that result with an entertaining 3-3 draw at Newcastle; the Red Devils were unlucky to not get all three points, but they did get three against Liverpool, in a rivalry where results always matter, regardless of the teams’ fortune in a given season.

Saturday, however, brought a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford to Southampton, in a game where United seemed bored and uninterested in winning. Fans are casting much of the blame at manager Louis van Gaal, who has drawn criticism for his dull style of play at Old Trafford. Players are reportedly just as frustrated as the fans, and following Saturday’s loss the manager said supporters were right to boo him. This pattern has been going on for several months this season, with the Dutchman once admitting earlier in the campaign that he is concerned about job security. However, when asked a similar question Saturday, he gave a defiant No comment-esque reply. The question seems to be will United management let van Gaal see out the rest of the season, or will they make a change mid-year just like they did with David Moyes two years ago?

The other debate is who would replace van Gaal as the full-time manager. Former legend Ryan Giggs has been serving as an assistant, and many supporters would like to see him in charge one day, but the Welshman may want to consider taking a job at a lower-level club and work his way up before becoming the manager at Old Trafford. It’s no secret that Jose Mourinho has long wanted United’s manager; in another world, he would have succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. This weekend, the Portuguese wrote a six-page letter detailing how his desire to manage United hasn’t wavered, and how he’d be willing to abandon his “park the bus” tactics in favor of the club’s traditional attacking style of play.

Manchester United is next in action at Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup. A win there would not only end United’s nasty recent habit of early Cup exits in even-numbered years, but could persuade management to let Louis van Gaal at least finish out the season. That mentality could change depending on how the club performs in February – including the Europa League tie with Midtjylland – but right now all eyes are on the matchup with the Rams.

Do you think Louis van Gaal will be sacked before the season’s end? Leave a comment below!