Louis van Gaal: Manchester United boss jokes with fans about getting the sack

The Dutchman is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign

Louis van Gaal jokes with Manchester United and Shrewsbury fans (Getty)

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal joked about prospect of being sacked with supporters following the FA Cup victory at Shrewsbury Town on Monday night.

The Dutchman is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the campaign with his side currently six points adrift of the Premier League top four, out of the Champions League and Capital One Cup and behind in their two-legged Europa League tie with Midtjylland.

But Van Gaal showed his lighter side with supporters of both clubs after watching United run out as comfortable 3-0 winners at New Meadow, setting up a sixth round meeting with West Ham United in March.

Filmed by BT Sport cameras, the 64-year-old is wished luck before saying: “We need it, otherwise I shall be sacked.” The supporter then replied: “I don’t think so, it’ll cost them too much money.”

A smiling Van Gaal, clearly relaxed after a rare victory in light of recent frustrations, added: “Yeah? You know that?”

The beleaguered United manager’s mood might have changed on Wednesday morning, however, as former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, favourite to replace him, was filmed discussing his future plans in Singapore.

"We need it, otherwise I shall be sacked!" Van Gaal jokes with @ManUtd fans that he needs some luck to keep his job. https://t.co/F9FrZ20KHq

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) February 23, 2016

“If I have to return tomorrow, I return tomorrow,” he said. "I always feel that it is better to wait and not to rush. It is better to wait for the right moment and the right move.

“I think starting next season with a new club and project is probably the best for me," he added. “I read so many different things. One day they say yes and another day they say no. One other day they say I'm going to China, another day they say I'm going back to Italy.

“I go to Milan and people say I'm going back to Inter. I'm here and people probably say I'm going to Singapore national team. Every day new things are coming but the reality is I have no job and I am happy not to have a job.”