Van Gaal dismisses Mourinho’s link with Manchester United

Manchester United manager, Louis Van Gaal, has said he does not believe reports that the club have lined up ex-Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, to replace him. 

Mourinho, who was sacked in December, said he will be "back soon" after it was revealed that his representatives had held talks with United.

Van Gaal said: "When there is such nonsense written about me, I cannot believe there is already a relationship between Jose Mourinho and United."

Mourinho's dismissal from Chelsea ended his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

"I always say I need competition - I need competition every week," the Portuguese, 53, told the Mail on Sunday. "For sure I'll be back soon."

     Van Gaal has been under pressure at Old Trafford after a difficult second season in   

     charge, which has seen his team's style of play repeatedly criticised.

However, defeats by Stoke on Boxing Day and Southampton on 23 January had been followed by an improvement in form, including a 3-0 win against the Potters on Tuesday.

The Old Trafford side are fifth in the Premier League, five points adrift of the Champions League places.

The 64-year-old has another year left on his contract - and insisted at the end of January that he wants to stay until it expires.

He added: "I cannot believe that [reports about Mourinho] because I have seen what is happening in the past two months and it was difficult for me, my wife, kids, grandchildren and friends to cope with that.

"It is the football world nowadays. It is a pity but it is like that", he added.