Louis Van Gaal: Manchester United would have told me if they were really talking to Jose Mourinho

Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December, has been heavily tipped to take over from Van Gaal by British media in recent weeks but the Dutch coach said he had heard nothing of the sort from United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Old Trafford board.

"I can only say that I have spoken with Ed Woodward and I cannot imagine that they have spoken with each other. I think that if they speak with another manager, they would tell me because our relationship is like that," Van Gaal told The Independent.

"I not only have a strong relationship with Ed, but also with the Glazers. And that is why I am annoyed with all the publicity. I have been 'sacked' three times and now it is about negotiations starting with Mourinho."

United, who are fifth in the Premier League, travel to face second-from-bottom Sunderland on Saturday.

This makes sense. As Jim White points out in his article for this website, the reports about Mourinho moving to United are simply speculation at the moment, with little foundation. The fact that the Portuguese is available and United may be looking for a top-class manager adds up, but that is as far as it goes.

Van Gaal’s quotes add weight to this view given that he is hardly the sort of character that would not directly ask the powers that be at United about his future. It is also worth remembering that Woodward appointed the Dutchman after the failure of David Moyes, so he has a vested interest in seeing him succeed. He will not want to have hired three managers in three seasons, so Van Gaal will surely, barring a catastrophic collapse in league position, continue until at least the summer.