Louis van Gaal has admitted he cannot afford to lose any of his final four games as Manchester United manager with his job under grave threat.

United are likely to need to win their remaining three Premier League matches, starting away to relegation threatened Norwich City on Saturday lunchtime, to qualify for next season’s Champions League before they face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Van Gaal has not given up hope of seeing out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford next season but former Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, remains confident he will be given the chance to succeed the Dutchman this summer.

“I cannot afford it [to lose any games] and Manchester United cannot afford it but in sport you can win and lose,” the United manager said. “It’s hard to accept but it is the truth.