Man U’s Jesse Lingard scores against Chelsea, does the Dab

United stayed fifth, six points behind neighbours Manchester City and the Champions League places.

This game had represented an opportunity given the top four play each other next weekend, while United travel to second-bottom Sunderland.

“I think we have showed now that we can play high-level football”, Mata said at his return to his old club. It isn’t a lack of concentration.

“It wasn’t a lack of concentration, it is not being composed when you are defending”.

“At this moment I don’t have a job, and I don’t know where football will take me, because in football you never know”. We didn’t do that. Newcastle also scored late against us.

“He said: “(I’m feeling) deep frustration because we were the better team and again we didn’t win.

Later, as the media conference was coming to a conclusion, the name of Sir Alex Ferguson, who was present at Stamford Bridge, was brought up, after Diego Costa scored in injury time – what used to be known as “Fergie time”. Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil scores his side’s first goal of the game, during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Arsenal, at the Vitality Stadium, in Bournemouth, England, Sunday Feb. 7, 2016.

“For players, it’s 10 or 12 years and for us, it’s whatever you want – 20 or 25 or 30 years because this is the kind of job where you’re paid, you’re very well paid, but at the same time, you leave the dreams you had as a kid”.

Manchester United spent much of last summer pursuing Sergio Ramos, but a repeat attempt to sign the Real Madrid centre-back appears highly unlikely if Mourinho takes charge due to their tempestuous relationship during their shared time at the Bernabeu.

Van Gaal, though, would’ve been disappointed to see his players go into their shells somewhat after Lingard’s goal as Chelsea came back with a vengeance in their search for an equaliser. Now it is 1-1.

“It was not a boring match. So, for the third time in a row, it was “sparkling”.

Louis Van Gaal was disappointed with his team’s performance in the final minutes of Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea.

Rumours intensified on Friday night as the always reliable BBC confirmed that United had held talks with Mourinho’s advisers although they did not state that anything had been agreed.

“You have not spoken to Ed Woodward, nor with the Glazers”, Van Gaal added.

Addressing a reporter, he said: “You are getting the sack tomorrow”.

The hierarchy will already be planning for next season in terms of the Premier League, but Chelsea are still in the Champions League and will more than likely need to win that competition if they are to bring top-level European football to Stamford Bridge next season.