Manchester United FC: Pressure back on Louis van Gaal after Europa League exit

New Delhi: Manchester United's mediocre season hit another low as Louis van Gaal's side bowed out of the Europa league Round of 16 stage. This in turn has added more pressure on the Dutchman, whose time at Old Trafford is getting worse day by day.

Despite a 1-1 draw at home against arch-rivals Liverpool on Thursday, United paid the price of a disdained 0-2 loss in the first leg and suffered an aggregate 1-3 score-line to exit the European competition.

United face neighbours Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday and are winless in last four games to highlight the missing spark that has daunted upon the club.

United lie sixth in the Premier League and need to finish in top four in order to qualify for Champions League football next season. Van Gaal had cited the Europa League as a getaway for Europe's elite competition, but now have to focus on the EPL and get a strong finish.

Failure in doing so could mark the end of the coveted manager, who took over the reigns in 2014. He has gone trophyless so far and the FA Cup is the only option left, in getting hold of a silverware.

United were held by West Ham United at home in the quarter-finals of FA Cup at home and will have to travel to Upton Park for a replay. A bad result their would mean calamity for LVG.

Beating injury-hit City at the Etihad would be a positive start in fight for a top four place and United cannot afford to lapse further.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is touted to be the next favourite manager to take over at Old Trafford and also LVG's assistant Ryan Giggs could get the nod if the Dutchman fails.