Manchester United abandoned efforts to sign Benfica midfielder Renato Sanches after the move by vetoed by manager Louis van Gaal – offering the clearest indication to date that the Dutchman will remain as manager at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season.

Sanches, 18, completed a surprise move to Bayern Munich on Tuesday, with the German champions paying a basic £27.6m for the teenager.

United have trailed Sanches for months, with Old Trafford scouts repeatedly watching the youngster in his breatkthrough season for the Portuguese giants.

But despite the player’s impressive performances for Benfica during the Lisbon club’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals – where they were eliminated by Bayern – United are understood to have ended their interest before making a formal move for Sanches.

Van Gaal’s position as manager has been shrouded in doubt and uncertainty since the former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern coach offered to resign in December – a winless month – when United were eliminated from the Champions League.

Renato Sanches is to move to Germany and Bayern Munich next season, despite being watched by Manchester United a number of times (Getty) (GETTY IMAGES)

Jose Mourinho’s availability after being sacked by Chelsea in the same month has proven to be another issue hanging over Van Gaal, but executive vice-chairman remains keen to back Van Gaal through the final year of his contract, which expires in June 2017.

And with Van Gaal having the final say on Sanches, a player Mourinho is understood to rate highly, United’s readiness to back their current manager’s judgement hints at a faith in his ability to continue in the job next season.