Paul Merson tips Jose Mourinho for Manchester United

“United recruited someone with a fantastic record of improving talented players”, he said.

Hernandez joined United in 2010, and scored 37 Premier League goals in 49 starts for the club. I started to have opportunities but one day I spoke with Van Gaal and I had only a 1% chance of playing so I needed to make magic.

Van Gaal was quoted by Sky Sports News as saying: “The most important thing for me as a trainer, coach and manager is the chemistry between me and my players and my board”. However, during United’s 2014/15 campaign, which was Van Gaal’s first season in charge of the Red Devils, Hernandez chose to sign a season-long loan with Real Madrid.

Although Wilson loan spell at Brighton is due to expire at the end of the season but Brighton has confirmed via Daily Mail that Manchester United can get the striker back in January by activating the clause inserted into his contract.

Sources say that even some players who had previously enjoyed Van Gaal’s approach, and felt he kept them on their toes in the way Sir Alex Ferguson had, have now completely turned against the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.

Van Gaal, under mounting fan pressure at United because of the team’s style of play, gave the squad Monday and Tuesday off ahead of their heavy Christmas schedule.

The 27-year-old paints a wholly different picture to that of the incumbent Dutchman: “I’m so grateful to Ferguson”. I think he’s the best there’s ever been, especially his squad management skills.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life”.

However, it has been suggested that Rooney is moving freely without any discomfort and could be in line to return to action against Norwich City at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Van Gaal also sanctioned the sales of Danny Welbeck to Arsenal in September 2014, Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce in the summer and winger Angel di Maria to Paris St-Germain in August.