- Title: Van Gaal won't discuss leaving after FA Cup win
- Date: 21st May 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (MAY 21, 2016) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, LOUIS VAN GAAL, SAYING: "I show you the cup and I don't discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months. Which manager can do that, what I have done?" WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, LOUIS VAN GAAL, SAYING: REPORTER ASKING: " Is this the perfect way to leave (Manchester) United, at the end of a three year trophy drought? Is this, you go out on a high?" VAN GAAL: "I don't want to talk about leaving the club." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, LOUIS VAN GAAL, SAYING: "Of course I said when I started as a manager that we are in a process of transition. That I have already said a lot of times in press conferences, so I repeat myself. I had to refresh my selection, my squad and I've done it. In spite of the many injuries this season we were still in the (Premier League) race and now we have lifted the (FA) cup. That's a title. It was three years ago that United had a title and I'm very proud that I'm the first manager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson. I have made a picture with him, because that's history." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, LOUIS VAN GAAL, SAYING: "The second half, it was unbelievable that again injuries were there in a final like we have seen in the season, but in spite of that, in spite of going down to 10 players we showed the spirit what we have shown on this road to the final." WHITE FLASH VAN GAAL HOLDING UP TROPHY AS HE LEAVES NEWS CONFERENCE WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) CRYSTAL PALACE MANAGER, ALAN PARDEW, SAYING: "I was really disappointed with the Connor (Wickham) decision in particular because you could see he was going to get up first and obviously the advantage was really with us. He actually had a free pass for a tap in, played on and still scored, so to be pulled back that was really harsh. I do think the Rooney tackle on Wilf (Wilfred Zaha) was a penalty. But nevertheless there was enough in the first half to show that our tactical plan to stop them getting through us, which we worked really well and hard on all week, worked for us. The quick breaks, if we'd just had a little bit more assistance from the ref we might have done better in the first half. Second half I thought we were a lot better, bit more composed with the ball, I thought it was a bit nervous when we started. But the players have given me everything today, they played with heart and passion. It was a great cup final. Manchester United did the same and it was even in the tactical game plan that was being played out, they had more possession, trying to get through us, couldn't get through us, and us on the break. It made for an enthralling tie and a game that could have gone either way. Unfortunately for us it didn't go our way." WHITE FLASH (SOUNDBITE) (English) CRYSTAL PALACE MANAGER, ALAN PARDEW, SAYING: "I enjoyed that moment. In a cup final as a manager it's difficult to enjoy moments, so if you forgive me for my dance, it's just because I enjoyed it!"
- Embargoed: 5th June 2016 23:08
- Keywords: Louis van Gaal Manchester United Alan Pardew Crystal Palace
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0014IR279B
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal refused to discuss leaving the club on Saturday (May 21) after his side lifted the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace.
British media have reported that Jose Mourinho will be appointed United manager next week, even though Van Gaal has a year left on his contract.
The Daily Telegraph reported on its website that the deal to bring Mourinho to Old Trafford was reached at the end of last week with an official announcement due in the next few days.
The BBC ran the same story but added that some senior figures at United were known to have serious reservations about the prospect of appointing Mourinho, with some preferring Van Gaal's assistant, Ryan Giggs, as an alternative.
Asked about his future at a news conference after the final, the Dutchman pointed at the FA Cup in front of him.
"I show you the Cup," he said. "And I don't discuss it with my friends of the media, who already sacked me for six months. Which manager can do that, what I have done?"
When asked if the cup victory would be fitting end to his spell at United, he simply replied "I don't want to talk about leaving the club."
Van Gaal preferred to dwell on the positives from a season in which United won their first trophy since 2013 and brought in some promising young players but came one place lower in the Premier League, finishing fifth behind Manchester City on goal difference and missing out on the Champions League.
"I said when I started as a manager that we are in a process of transition," Van Gaal added. "I had to refresh my selection, my squad and I've done it. In spite of the many injuries this season we were still in the (Premier League) race and now we have lifted the (FA) cup. That's a title. It was three years ago that United had a title and I'm very proud that I'm the first manager after the period of Sir Alex Ferguson. I have made a picture with him, because that's history."
United substitute Jesse Lingard's superb volley in extra time secured a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The game was locked at 1-1 after 90 minutes, Jason Puncheon coming off the bench to put London side Palace ahead 12 minutes from time before Juan Mata equalised three minutes later.
United central defender Chris Smalling was sent off in the extra period for a second yellow card but Lingard's moment of class gave them the Cup for the first time since 2004.
"The second half, it was unbelievable that again injuries were there in a final like we have seen in the season, but in spite of that, in spite of going down to 10 players we showed the spirit what we have shown on this road to the final," said Van Gaal.
The defiant Dutchman suggested he was already planning new signings for next season. Whether he is given the chance to do so remains in serious doubt.
Palace manager Alan Pardew, who played when the London club lost the replayed 1990 final against United, was frustrated by two refereeing decisions from Mark Clattenburg, who will be in charge of next weekend's Champions League final.
He felt Wilfried Zaha should have had a penalty when tackled by Rooney and that play should have been waved on as Connor Wickham recovered from Smalling's challenge and scored.
"I was really disappointed with the Connor decision in particular because you could see he was going to get up first and obviously the advantage was really with us. He actually had a free pass for a tap in, played on and still scored, so to be pulled back that was really harsh. I do think the Rooney tackle on Wilf (Wilfred Zaha) was a penalty," said Pardew.
"The players have given me everything today, they played with heart and passion. It was a great cup final. Manchester United did the same and it was even in the tactical game plan that was being played out, they had more possession, trying to get through us, couldn't get through us, and us on the break. It made for an enthralling tie and a game that could have gone either way. Unfortunately for us it didn't go our way."
There was a bonus in Palace's defeat for West Ham United, who will join United in the Europa League next season after the east London side move into their new Olympic Stadium ground. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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