Report: Louis van Gaal offered to resign after dismal Southampton defeat

The end is near.

Louis van Gaal offered to resign following Manchester United's loss to Southampton on Saturday, according to a report by Jamie Jackson in The Guardian. The under-fire Dutchman had just watched his side lose 1-0, and exited Old Trafford to a chorus of boos, which were noticeably louder than any previously heard at the stadium this season. According to the report, Van Gaal met with Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, and offered to step down as manager despite having 18 months remaining on his contract. However, Woodward urged Van Gaal, who's currently in The Netherlands celebrating his daughter's birthday, to give his decision more thought and discuss it with his family. According to Jackson:

"Woodward also wanted time to digest the defeat and assess the situation because he is keen to avoid having to appoint a manager in the middle of the season. "He would much rather wait until the summer to make that decision, should he have to. "He also wants to gauge Van Gaal's mood on his return, but should United lose to Derby County in the FA Cup on Friday, the two may come to an agreement that the manager should walk away."

The report also claims that more talks are planned between the pair on Tuesday, when Van Gaal returns to Manchester, and that Sir Alex Ferguson has no indication of Woodward's intentions. Woodward is believed to be solely responsible for the 64-year-old's Old Trafford future, and will choose his replacement. So rest assured, United fans.