Louis van Gaal's Manchester United future hangs on FIVE crucial games over the next 5 weeks

Reds chiefs have faith in the Dutchman now but meetings with 4 of the top 6 plus improving Villa could leave him facing failure to deliver Champions League return

Louis van Gaal's fate as Manchester United manager will be decided by their crunch run of games over the next month.
Van Gaal is under increasing pressure following United's FA Cup exit at home to Arsenal on Monday night, which has left a top-four place - and the Champions League return that goes with it - their only remaining target this season.
The Red Devils currently hold that fourth place, but face a huge test of their ability to remain there with a run of upcoming games pitting them against direct rivals Tottenham and Liverpool, improving Aston Villa and the top two of Manchester City and Chelsea.
While the Old Trafford board retain faith in Van Gaal to fulfil his remit of securing a top-four spot, the Dutchman's position will come under scrutiny if United fall away over those crucial games.
United are planning to spend another £150million this summer to further strengthen their squad, but it remains to be seen if Dutchman Van Gaal will be the manager to oversee that outlay.
Man United's next 5 matches

Sunday, 15 March	Tottenham (H)
Sunday, 22 March	Liverpool (A)
Saturday, 4 April	Aston Villa (H)
Sunday, 12 April	Manchester City (H)
Saturday, 18 April	Chelsea (A)

Failure to clinch an immediate return to the Champions League after this season's absence would raise legitimate doubts among the board over the wisdom of entrusting Van Gaal to spend so big again.
The former Holland boss was handed £150m to spend last summer, after succeeding David Moyes, and while United remain in the top-four, the 63-year-old is safe.
United could afford to miss out on the Champions League for one season, but a second successive year away from it, at another potential cost of around £50m, is an unthinkable prospect.