Louis van Gaal claims Manchester United put his 'head in a noose' during failed spell at Old Trafford: 'It was the biggest disappointment of my life'

• e-mail

Louis van Gaal has spoken out about his failed tenure at Manchester United, claiming the club 'put his head in a noose' before going behind his back to sack him.

The Dutchman was in charge at Old Trafford for two seasons, winning the FA Cup in his final match, but it ended badly when the hierarchy eyed up Jose Mourinho as their next manager.

In an explosive interview with Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, Van Gaal said: 'The pressure was enormous with my head in the noose and they went right behind my back. I think it was all orchestrated like a film and it was done very much behind my back right from January.

Louis van Gaal, pictured at the Holland game last week, has lifted the lid on his United sacking

Van Gaal won the FA Cup in his last game at the club, before making way for Jose Mourinho

The two men embrace at Old Trafford after United's 1-1 draw with Chelsea in October 2014

'I do understand that choice of United to get Mourinho. Suddenly, Mourinho was out after one-and-a-half years of my contract and I knew United wanted him one day.'

A year on, Van Gaal appears to still hold some ill feeling towards his former club, and he admits he has tried to get every penny he can from them.

'They told me [about my sacking] only after it was leaked out and it was the biggest disappointment of my life,' he continues. 'United did not discuss this with me. 

'If they had come to me with the Mourinho plan then I could have said "Okay, let's give it everything for the last six months, complete commitment to each other and the team and then Jose Mourinho can take over."

Van Gaal says United 'put his head in a noose' as they went behind his back to get Mourinho

Van Gaal calls circumstances surrounding his sacking the 'biggest disappointment' of his life

'They could have saved the last year of my salary by doing that but after what happened I made them pay every penny.'

Since Van Gaal's exit, Mourinho has come in and restored Champions League football - via the Europa League - while the Dutchman remains without a job.

A high-profile summer transfer window and impressive start to the season has left supporters excited about the club's chances of winning the league title this term.