"?Louis van Gaal remained typically defiant when speaking to the media after Manchester United's FA Cup final victory over Crystal Palace, despite reports emerging that Jose Mourinho is set to be announced as Van Gaal's successor at the start of next week.
In the space between the final whistle and "?Van Gaal's press conference, it was claimed by numerous major outlets that the deal to bring the Portuguese manager to Old Trafford was wrapped up and ready to be revealed on Tuesday.
Louis van Gaal: The media sacked me months ago. https://t.co/3UQMqVT7Hy pic.twitter.com/mjwb14EPq8
However Van Gaal, who walked into the media room holding the FA Cup trophy, said: "I show you the cup and don't discuss it with my friends in the media, who already sacked me six months ago. Which manager can do that? You have followed the board? I don't want to talk about leaving the club."
He went on to talk about his transfer plans for the summer, saying: "I believe in refreshing my squad. I need the players that I have asked for. You know that I want creative, fast wingers. We didn't do that because it is not possible. It's not so easy when United come for a player. When United are coming, the price is much more than double."
On the game, he told reporters that he was 'very proud' of the way his team played and fought in the match "Injuries were there, in the final, like we have seen in the season," he said. "But, in spite of that and in spite of having 10 players, we showed a spirit that we have shown on this route to the final.
.@WayneRooney defends Louis van Gaal when asked about Man United's manager's job.
BLOG: https://t.co/wQXb8uk81Y pic.twitter.com/OvrDIW6lQB
"Against Sheffield United, we scored in the last minute. We do fight to the end. Against West Ham United, we were behind at home and we scored, still, an equaliser in the last minutes of the game and then we won, away. Against Everton, it was in the last minute.
"When you prove that again, in a final with 10 men against 11, having played on Tuesday with more or less the same team, you can be very proud as Manchester United manager and as a fan."
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