Louis van Gaal has defiantly insisted he will remain as Manchester United's manager next season despite continued reports that Jose Mourinho has already been lined up to replace him.

After being questioned about his future for months, Van Gaal finally snapped last night ahead of Sunday's game against champions-elect Leicester City at Old Trafford by declaring: 'Next year you see me again.'

The Dutchman signed a three-year contract after replacing David Moyes in 2014 but speculation it will be terminated a year early has reached fever pitch because of United's indifferent form and the availability of Mourinho, who was sacked by Chelsea in December.

Louis van Gaal has defiantly insisted he will remain as Manchester United manager next season

After being questioned about his future for months, Van Gaal snapped ahead of Sunday's game with Leicester

Speculation that the Dutchman's stay in Manchester will be terminated a year early has reached fever pitch

LOUIS VAN GAAL AT UNITED Appointed: May 2014 Games: 98 Wins: 51 Draws: 24 Losses: 23 Advertisement

However, 64-year-old van Gaal has now come out fighting, claiming it was United who initially demanded he sign a three-year contract against his wishes because they knew the size of the job that faced him at Old Trafford.

'Of course they knew it would be hard. That is why they have hired me,' he said.

'We spoke about that (at the start) and we have a process of three years. I want to sign for two years, they want three years, not I.

'I have signed for three years so next year you see me again!'

Van Gaal's comments certainly raise the stakes in the coming weeks of the season with vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Glazer family having a massive decision to make.

By revealing that United pressed for him to stay until 2017, Van Gaal is indicating they are duty-bound to allow him to finish the job – a clear sign that he wants to remain despite continual sniping against him.

Reports have persisted that Jose Mourinho has already been lined up to replace the Dutchman at Old Trafford

Van Gaal signed a three-year contract when he replaced David Moyes in 2014 and he intends to see it through

United are in danger of missing out on the pre-season target of Champions League qualification, kicking off on Sunday five points off a top-four place.

However, they are also in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 21 and criticism of Van Gaal's dull style of play has been offset recently by the introduction of several youngsters into the team, most notably striker Marcus Rashford.

'I am a realistic man and I only speak about facts,' he said. 'There are a lot of positives but now we are one position less than last year and that position is very important for the club, the most important position.

'I'm always having that positive feeling because I have done it in every club and I'm here hired to do that for this club.'

Leicester City will win the Premier League if they beat United – a sobering thought for every so-called big club who have far outspent the Foxes.

But van Gaal thinks it will have been impossible for United to have signed players like N'Golo Kante (£7.5million) and Riyad Mahrez (£500,000) at such bargain prices.

'That is certain, that is not in question,' he said. 'When Manchester United comes in, the price is going up and also the price of agents is also going up. That is the price you have to pay when you are a top club.'

To add insult to injury, two of the Leicester players on the verge of glory - Danny Drinkwater and Danny Simpson - were let go by United.