Louis van Gaal says he convinced Manchester United to buy Bastian Schweinsteiger

United are now fifth in standings and are six points behind Manchester City, which have entered the finals of Champions League.

The bad run that United have been has led to a lot of media reports suggesting that van Gaal is on the verge of the sack at United, with Jose Mourinho ready to take over. “I’m doing my work and I can do no more”, he remarked.

On Valentine’s weekend it was appropriate that Manchester United gave a league debut to their young Scottish defender Donald Love.

Anthony Martial equalised for United shortly before halftime after Wahbi Khazri’s third-minute free kick evaded De Gea who was embarrassed again eight minutes from time when he diverted Lamine Kone’s header into his own goal.

The Red Devils succumbed to their seventh defeat of the season against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light as United put in another disappointing performance.

“We needed to win this game because of the big gap between the top four and we want to be there”.

“In the past, I was chairman of the coaches federation in the Netherlands and we had a rule that you can never talk with a club without informing the present manager”, he said.

“It’s still possible [to finish in the top four], but it’s very hard”.

“It will be very hard”. That’s our aim, the minimum requirement for a club like this. “You can not close your eyes to that”.

“I knew Manchester United need to qualify for the Champions League”, Moyes said, speaking on Goals on Sunday.

United return to European competition this week when they play in the Europa League for the first time since 2012.

Van Gaal revealed during the week that he doesn’t expect any contact from his old pal Jose Mourinho to clear up the speculation surrounding the Dutchman’s future at Old Trafford.

“Always in a match you shall be compared with your opponent in aggression”, Van Gaal said after the game.