LOUIS van Gaal has handed Saints and adversary Ronald Koeman the ultimate parting gift – after it was announced he is to be replaced by Jose Mourinho as manager of Manchester United.

By leading United to their first FA Cup victory in 12 years, with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Crystal Palace, Van Gaal sent Saints flying into the group stages of the Europa League.

A Palace victory would have seen Koeman’s men enter a gruelling early-season qualifying process, but Jesse Lingard’s superb strike on 110 minutes meant that Saints’ second successive European campaign received a significant early boost.

Then, just hours after Van Gaal granted Saints and fellow Dutchman Koeman, below, who he has had a long-standing feud with, passage to the groups, it was announced that former Chelsea boss Mourinho would likely replace the 64-year-old at the Old Trafford helm.

It means his final act as manager saw him, not only win United’s first piece of silverware since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down three years ago, but do a big favour for his nemesis Koeman.

The pair fell-out in their homeland in 2004 while at Amsterdam giants Ajax and their relationship has been strained ever since.

The feud has rumbled on, in one way or another, with their problems not easing since they both arrived in the Premier League.

Saints had already qualified for the Europa League by completing a best-ever sixth place finish in the Premier League, but had to sit tight to see who won the FA Cup to discover which stage they’d enter at.

With their entrance at the group stage now confirmed, Saints will go into the draw which takes place in Monaco on Friday, 26 August.

The first games will then take place in mid-September.

Things have edged further to a conclusion at Old Trafford today, with Van Gaal reportedly sacked. 

After a disappointing campaign in terms of style and substance at Old Trafford, the door is now open for Mourinho's return to management.

Before the celebrations had even subsided at Wembley on Saturday, United's FA Cup win was being overshadowed by fresh reports that Van Gaal was to be replaced by the former Chelsea boss in the coming days.

United have steadfastly refused to comment on speculation regarding their managerial situation.

But with an announcement widely expected later today, some media outlets have started to report that Van Gaal had already been let go.

Van Gaal stood firm when asked about his position in the post-match press conference at Wembley, but fuelled speculation on Sunday by telling a reporter outside the team hotel that "it's over".

The brevity of the comment meant it was not immediately clear whether that meant the former Holland manager had been told his time at United was at an end, although his situation could soon become clearer.

Van Gaal arrived at United's Aon Training Complex at around 8.45am on Monday, his Mercedes sweeping into the Carrington training ground.

Two years ago predecessor David Moyes attended a morning meeting with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at the club's training complex and a statement confirming the Scot's sacking followed shortly afterwards, just 10 months into a six-year deal to replace Sir Alex Ferguson.

Van Gaal was followed into United's training ground by employment lawyer Paul Gilroy QC, who has long worked with the League Managers Association.

Having initially been turned away by security, he was allowed into the complex around an hour after the Dutchman arrived.

Gilroy lists former United manager Moyes among the clients he has advised, along with Ferguson, Roy Hodgson and Brendan Rodgers.

Chambers and Partners describe Gilroy as "a noted employment specialist" who is "renowned for getting a fantastic deal for managers".

Van Gaal still has a season remaining on his three-year contract, while Mourinho has been out of work since paying for Chelsea's abysmal title defence with his job in December.

The Portuguese has repeatedly spoken of his plans to return to work this summer, and reviving United's fortunes would surely be a mouth-watering proposition for the self-styled 'Special One'.

United, a club synonymous with a swashbuckling, attacking style, managed a paltry 49 league goals - their lowest return for 26 years - and missed out on Champions League qualification to neighbours Manchester City on goal difference.

A first FA Cup win since 2004 was a welcome boost, but captain Wayne Rooney knows the campaign was far from good enough.

"He has been under pressure. I think we all have," Rooney said of Van Gaal.

"That's part of playing for Manchester United and managing Manchester United - it is a massive club.

"You have to set standards and we fell below them this season.

"But we have to make sure as players we get back to those standards and make sure we are back challenging for the main trophies."

Success is something former United midfielder and Chelsea assistant Ray Wilkins is backing Mourinho to bring back to Old Trafford.

"I think it is the right move," he told talkSPORT. "It is the only move for them. He will get them playing again and he will get them winning again.

"He is a winner - there is no two ways about it. When he goes to a club, normally he wins a big trophy within the first couple of years."