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Louis van Gaal congratulates Jose Mourinho: 'You cannot deny that Chelsea are the real champions,' says Manchester United boss

Manchester United manager said he sent a text message, but wasn't sure if it had got through to the Chelsea manager

Tom Sheen
Friday 08 May 2015 15:15 BST
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Cruyff has criticised the two managers
Cruyff has criticised the two managers

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has moved to congratulate Chelsea on their Premier League title, describing the Blues as the deserving champions.

Chelsea won the title last weekend after beating Crystal Palace but will still have a part to play in the race for the Champions League as they face United's rivals Liverpool on Sunday.

Speaking at his press conference the Dutch coach, who is friends with his Portuguese counterpart from their time together at Barcelona, said the title was "well deserved".

"I think I have sent him a text already," said Van Gaal, "but I don't know if the message has arrived because I know he changes his number a lot, but I want to wish my colleague Jose Mourinho and Chelsea their championship.

"Well deserved, I think. When you see the statistics, you cannot doubt that they are the real champion."

Soon afterwards, the Red Devils manager made it clear that to do the deal for Memphis Depay, who will join the club for upwards of £20million, at this stage of the season was not what we wanted.

Memphis Depay will join Manchester United for £25m

"I have been forced to sign him. I don't want to sign him before the end of the season," he added.

"We have to focus on our games. When you sign a player you disturb the focus of your present group of players.

"The coming matches are very important for Manchester United and for all of the players. But because of the market, I have to handle - I must handle it - because otherwise he would have signed for PSG. That is why I signed Memphis."

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