Louis van Gaal signed a three year contract at Manchester United when he replaced David Moyes last summer. His plan was to make this job his last and would retire at the end of the 2016-17 season, when he’s just about to turn 66.

The manager has insisted he won’t be staying any longer and will stick to his plan.

It would be difficult to see this team reach its potential because that would mean I would have to stay. It is always difficult, because then you have to stay and you know what I said. And I am always doing the things that I said.