I’M STAYING

... as long as United finish in the top four and also win FA Cup

LOUIS VAN GAAL has told friends he will keep his job if Manchester United finish in the top four and lift the FA Cup.

After their narrow victory over Norwich on Saturday, United need to win their final two games – at West Ham tonight then home to Bournemouth on Sunday – to be sure of beating neighbours City to the last Champions League qualifying place.

If they follow that up by defeating Crystal Palace at Wembley on May 21, Van Gaal

thinks he will have done enough to convince the Glazer family, United’s American owners, and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward that he should see out the last year on his three-season contract.

Publicly, the Dutchman will not comment on his future, saying: “It is up to the board to decide at the end of the season.” But privately it is understood he is confident a top-four finish and cup success will save his neck and see off the threat of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who has been heavily linked with the job.

THUMBS UP: Van Gaal feels he could get an unlikely reprieve as United boss after the win at Norwich, left, but still needs to achieve his twin target