Manchester United still hope they can beat neighbours Manchester City to the signing of Pep Guardiola and have hastily upgraded what had previously only been back-channel contact with the Bayern Munich manager, sources have told Theinfostride — but there is concern they might have left it too late.
Despite widespread reports last week that United were giving full backing to Louis van Gaal, sources now say that was partly because it was close to a big Champions League game against Wolfsburg.
Defeat in that match and subsequent elimination from the competition, however, has caused doubt about the Dutch coach’s suitability to the job to spread among the Old Trafford hierarchy. Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth will only amp up the pressure.
There were always some who felt the club should be doing their utmost to bring in Guardiola, and that process has now been “greatly accelerated,” a source said, with the prospect of the Catalan ending up at local rivals City also playing greatly on the minds of United officials.
The worry, however, is whether they are too far behind in the pursuit.
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