Louis van Gaal: What I think of Man United striker Anthony Martial

“When the board has such confidence, the pressure is much higher than when they say it is your last game or something like that”, said van Gaal, speaking ahead of Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie away to second-tier Derby County.

But after Wayne Rooney’s superb opener had been cancelled out by George Thorne, Blind and Mata struck in clinical fashion to take United into the last 16 and ease some of the pressure on the embattled Van Gaal.

If Manchester United had lost to Derby County, who play their trade in the Championship, one league below the Premier League, then it was roundly assumed that Louis Van Gaal would have been sacked.

“It’s not easy to come here and play football, especially in the first half because they pressed a lot, but I think in the first 30 to 35 minutes we were very good”.

The Rams are under pressure to get back to winning ways, and doing so in the FA Cup against Premier League giants would be the ideal way to alleviate that pressure.

“I am always pleased when we win, so there is not any difference”, Van Gaal said.

“I know it has been a few years since Manchester United won it, but I think we have to focus on each round”, he said, referencing the fact the club have not won the FA Cup since the 2003/04 season.

“It was a very good result but also a very good performance and that’s more important at this moment”.

“I have not mentioned that, ever”, he told reporters.

“We drink a nice bottle of wine, probably the most expensive wine, because I have received that from Ed Woodward”. If Louis Van Gaal can deliver that, then there’s a good chance that he’ll still be in the job come the start of next season.

He said: “I passed the ball to Juan and thought I am this close to the goal now, I will make a move forward”.

Woodward refused to accept it and is adamant he wants the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager to see out his three-year contract at Old Trafford. His attacking spirit was a key reason United were able to leave Derby with a victory and his pace combined with his ability with the ball at his feet raised eyebrows.

Saturday’s defeat against Southampton ended a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D2). It’s a process, not one game, and I want to continue until the end.