Manchester United parted ways with Van Gaal in May 2016 despite the Dutchman steering the club to FA Cup glory with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Despite that, however, the 68-year-old’s time at Old Trafford was far from a success.

He guided Manchester United to a top four finish in his first season in charge but they finished fifth the following season, managing just 49 goals from 38 league games.

However, the Manchester Evening News have sensationally claimed that Van Gaal was set for a new deal six months before he was axed.

That was in November 2015, where the club won two out of three league games played that month.

At the time, they were still in contention for the league title, sitting three points behind eventual champions Leicester at the summit.

However, things all went wrong shortly afterwards.

The club lost three league games on the bounce against Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke respectively.

Draws against Chelsea and Newcastle did little to lift the gloom and, though United finished the season strongly with eight wins from their final 12 games, Van Gaal was ultimately axed.

Meanwhile, the Dutchman recently hit out at United for costing him the Belgium job because of an agreement they reached while negotiating his sacking.

"I think the manner in which Manchester United treated me was horrible, and treacherous as well,” he told Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant.

"I had plenty of offers of work after I left United. The Belgian FA wanted me to become their national coach.

"But I couldn't take a job with anyone for a year, because of the conditions United attached to my severance payment.

"So I missed out on the Belgium job, among others, despite thinking it would be a terrific challenge.

"I felt so resentful about letting this opportunity slip. It was stupid, as sporting considerations are the most important.

"But back then I felt it was more about taking revenge on United, and that they should have to pay me the maximum amount."