This is one of the most surreal episodes in the recent history of Manchester United, which nevertheless has no shortage of them. On May 21, 2016, shortly after the Red Devils’ victory in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace (2-1), Louis van Gaal appeared in the Wembley press room with the trophy in hand, with the he admitted hope that the journalists present, very critical of him in previous weeks, would finally recognize his merits. Wasted effort: he had only been questioned about José Mourinho, whom the BBC had just designated as the Dutchman’s successor, who had one year of contract remaining.
