United’s Anthony Martial (left), scores the winning goal during the English FA Cup
Qualifying for the Champions League looks increasingly out of reach for Manchester United. The season could still end with silverware after Louis van Gaal’s side reached the FA Cup final by beating Everton on Saturday.
And yet Van Gaal still has the air of a manager who could be leaving his job.
Even amid the joy at seeing Anthony Martial score in the third minute of stoppage time to clinch a 2-1 victory over Everton in the semifinal, Van Gaal responded curtly to a question about the team beyond this season.
“I am not looking beyond this competition, the FA Cup, because we live in the present,” Van Gaal said. “And for the future I will discuss that with my board and not with you.”
When it was pointed out that he had another season remaining on his contract, the 64-year-old Dutchman said: “Yes. You repeat what I have always said.”
Counterpart Roberto Martinez also faced questions about his future, with Everton ending the season without a trophy and the team 11th in the English Premier League.
“I share the drive the club has, which is getting into the Champions League and situations where we can win silverware,” Martinez said. “Every season we are developing and reaching certain signs where I feel we can please our fans and bring the silverware they deserve.
“But clearly, at moments like this of true disappointment, it is very difficult to see through that the real good things we have developed over the last three seasons.” Rob Harris, London, AP
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