Despite struggling to find consistency for large part of the 2015/16 campaign, Manchester United find themselves in an FA Cup final, while are vying for a top four finish with three games left to play.
Louis van Gaal hopes to bring the first piece of silverware to Old Trafford in three years, but the Dutchman admits the expectations are too high at the club, while they’re still in transitions.
“I am happy to give the fans a final. Expectations are too high,” the Dutchman said as quoted by Sky Sports. “We are in a period of transition. It is not so easy. We have to meet the expectations of the biggest club in the world.”
With four wins and a draw in United’s last five game, the Red Devil’s form has improved in recent months, but it probably has come too late for them.
Although, United have the best home record in 2015/16, but their seven away defeats is the most by any club within the top six this season. From late November to the end of 2015, United went through a wretched phase, failing to win in eight consecutive games, losing four at a stretch in between for the first time in the club’s history.
This has sparked a wild speculation over Van Gaal’s future, with widespread media linking Jose Mourinho with the United managerial job this summer.
The Dutchman feels that the extensive coverage from the UK media about him losing his job at Manchester United has hindered the club’s progress this season.
“I’m a coach, a manager who would rather have some authority but every day the players can read it, what do you think about my authority as well? What do you think about the way they want to follow my advice when the coach is shown like a nobody?” added the former Bayern Munich manager.
Van Gaal further adds that it has been difficult for him to retain an authority over his players under such circumstances, as constant rumours of him getting sacked have had a negative impact on the squad. The Dutchman considers himself as one of the best managers in the world and says while he is accustomed to thriving under a media-created pressure, his players aren’t.
“But I am not like that. I am very arrogant. I am one of the best managers in the world.
“When the media is writing for six months I am sacked already… I can cope with that. It is not new for me. For my players, it is not so easy.”
Meanwhile, David de Gea has won the Manchester United Player of the Year award for a record third time, having almost joined Real Madrid last summer.
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