Van Gaal: I can’t imagine Woodward/Jose talks

Louis van Gaal does not believe that Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has spoken to Jose Mourinho about replacing him as manager.

As newspaper reports suggested on Wednesday that Mourinho joining Van Gaal is a “done deal”, the Dutchman claims that he would be aware of any talks with the Portuguese.

Van Gaal even hints at his own conversations with Mourinho, who worked with him at Barcelona.

“I have not said that we have spoken, but he [Mourinho] is my friend, so there you go,” Van Gaal told The Independent in an exclusive interview. “But I don’t know if Manchester United have spoken with Mourinho or not.

“I can only say that I have spoken with [United’s executive vice-chairman] 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. But I think that, if they want to change, they have to prepare themselves. That is also a professional attitude, in my opinion.

“If they are thinking that they want to replace me, they have to prepare and they have to enquire, that is what I think,.

“But if it is like that, they have to say it to me. And I believe they will tell me if it is like that. I not only have a strong relationship with Ed, but also with the Glazers. I have a good feeling with the Glazers also.

“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 Jose Mourinho. The next time, it will be another [manager].”