adminMANCHESTER. — Louis van Gaal has dismissed claims that Jose Mourinho is nailed on for his Manchester United job insisting there have been no talks between the club and the former Chelsea boss.
On the eve of United’s visit to Mourinho’s former club, Van Gaal admitted that he is only now emerging from a dark tunnel of despair which has seen speculation mount over his future.
Some of it has revolved around Mourinho replacing Van Gaal either imminently or in the summer.
Since the goalless home draw against Chelsea on December 28 United have won four, drawn one and lost one of their six games easing the pressure on the Dutchman.
He admitted: “I know that there has been such a lot of nonsense created around me but I can’t believe that there is already a relationship with Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.”
He confessed that losing four games on the run — the worst sequence of his managerial career — which fuelled the doubts over his future hurt.
Van Gaal stated: “I think the criticism logical when you lose four matches in a row, I have never done that as a manager. Then it is logical that people are doubting you.
“In December it was painful, very painful as the circumstances were against us. Could have managed it better? I don’t think so.
“I never doubted myself. In the Netherlands they know I am too arrogant for that.”
He believes that he has been the victim of misinformation adding: “Now I have to answer questions that I have hired security for my wife. But I have never hired security, never, never. I am walking on the streets without security.
“The last two months have been very difficult for me, for my wife, for my kids for my grandchildren and friends to cope.
“But it is not the first country. In Spain and also in Germany I had to cope with that. It is the football world nowadays. It is a pity but it is like that.”
But Van Gaal insists he is staying put at Old Trafford and wants to finish in the top three to automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League. He stated: “It is still the same aim, it’s the Champions League and of course one step higher than last season so third place which we said that at the start of this season.” — The Daily Express
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