Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal believes his one-time assistant Jose Mourinho was actively trying to replace him at Old Trafford before he was sacked last year.

Mourinho was strongly linked with a move to succeed Van Gaal for several months before he was appointed as United boss, with his appointment confirmed soon after the veteran Dutchman was relieved of his duties following success in the 2016 FA Cup final.

Van Gaal's feelings towards the coach who worked with him at Barcelona will not have been improved by Mourinho's constant suggestions that he inherited a club that had stagnated in the years before his arrival and now the man who was ousted at United has belatedly had his say on the story.

After an apparently cordial meeting between the two men in the Anfield tunnel ahead of Saturday's 0-0 draw between Liverpool and United, Van Gaal offered up these comments that suggest he still has lingering animosity towards Mourinho.

Louis van Gaal with Mourinho at the game today#Mufc #Lfc pic.twitter.com/YjlnYkKZ36 — Totally Man Utd™ (@TotallyMUFC) October 14, 2017

When asked whether he felt Mourinho had plotted to replace him prior to his sacking at United, Van Gaall offered these comments: "Of course. How I have suspected it, the way his transfer as a manager to Manchester United went was not elegant at all. That resulted in my sacking.

"In principle, he is not a bad guy. He can be sympathetic and he was this way when he was my assistant in the past, but he lets himself go out of control too often.’"

Van Gaal, who was working for Dutch TV at Anfield, received a warm reception from United fans as he stood in front of them to give his on-screen verdict on the game after the final whistle, as he insisted he has god memories from his time at the club despite some some fierce criticism that came his way.

"I have great memories and my relationship with all the staff and fans was great during my time at United," he added. "You can see the reaction here. We had some good moments together."

Online Editors