United can still be in thick of title race – Van Gaal

While arguably not a ideal fit with United’s heritage and traditions, the former Chelsea boss is the fans’ preferred choice to replace Van Gaal, with some even mocking up scarves to display their support for his potential appointment. “I hope it gives us a lot of motivation to continue”.

“For the second part of the season we want to improve our game and win as many matches as we can to be a contender for the title and be in the Champions League, because that’s very important to this club”.

Rooney scored United’s final goal in a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford that closed the gap on Arsenal, fourth in the English Premier League, to five points.

“The competition is not yet finished, not for Manchester United or the other teams”.

However, Woodward and owners the Glazer family are believed to be keen to line up a major managerial coup after watching Bayern Munich’s much-prized coach Pep Guardiola agree to take over at hated neighbours Manchester City at the end of the season. We have to play the game as we see it at the time. Everybody forgets he was substituted against Stoke City on Boxing Day, but it is always the same with me.

“I am thankful to him and will never forget that”.

“You have to prove it every game and in every training session, and if you do you play. I’m very happy [Matteo] Darmian could play again, and you see the result is better”.

Van Gaal expects the striker, 30, to quickly break Bobby Charlton’s club record of 249 goals, which he now trails by five.

Although out of the Champions League, Schneiderlin is keen for United to focus on winning trophies on the domestic front.

“I don’t have any problem with Louis van Gaal”, Valdes said. “The worst thing that can happen at Old Trafford is to concede early”, said Stoke manager Mark Hughes, the former United striker.

And Van Gaal said he can not envisage leaving Rooney out of the team when the England captain is in this kind of form.