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Louis van Gaal’s two-season tenure as the manager of Manchester United has come to an end within days of winning the FA Cup.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss had been under pressure for most of his second season at Old Trafford due to his side’s mundane play.
The history books however will still show that the Dutchman won a trophy, the first since Sir Alex Ferguson (Community Shield withstanding).
Here are my five most memorable Manchester United victories under the outspoken former manager.
April 12, 2015: Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City
The Manchester Derby came on the back of five straight league wins for United. City took the lead early through Sergio Aguero, before Ashley Young equalised and set up Marouane Fellaini to put United 2-1 up at halftime.
The second half saw United score two more goals through Juan Mata and Chris Smalling, the fourth being another Young assist. Aguero scored again for City late on.
This derby win moved United a point behind second place Arsenal and had some fans still believing in league glory.
September 12, 2015: Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool
The start of the 2015-16 league campaign had been mixed, and the same could be said for new signing Memphis Depay, who was substituted at halftime with the scores locked at nil all.
The second half may have been the most enthralling of Van Gaal’s spell, with Daley Blind scoring early off a set-play from a corner. Ander Herrera made it 2-0 from the penalty spot, before Liverpool’s new striker Christian Benteke scored a spectacular bicycle kick in the 84th minute.
That goal was to be outdone by United’s new striker Anthony Martial, who started the match on the bench. The Frenchman jinked his way past three defenders, including a nutmeg on Martin Skrtel, before curling his shot into the far corner.
The match finished 3-1 and United fans were hailing the “next Thierry Henry”.
February 25, 2016: Manchester United 5-1 Midtjylland
United’s blushes from being knocked out of the Champions League were further highlighted when they lost 2-1 away to Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League. Fans were confident of a turnaround at Old Trafford, until Martial was ruled out during the warm-up. With Wayne Rooney out through injury, a virtually unknown 18-year-old named Marcus Rashford was drafted in to lead the line.
United were 3-1 down on aggregate after half an hour, before Midtjylland scored an own goal and gave away a penalty, which Mata failed to convert. 3-2 down on aggregate at halftime and luck against them, United needed a miracle. Step forward Rashford, who had a double in the space of 12 minutes, putting United in control of the tie.
United won another penalty, which Herrera converted, before the Danes were reduced to ten men. Depay scored in the 90th minute to complete the rout.
United won the two-legged affair 6-3 and the United fans were cheering “Rashford, Rashford, he’s one of our own!”
February 28, 2016: Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal
Days after the Midtjylland success, United hosted rivals Arsenal. Missing key personnel including Rooney, Martial, Chris Smalling and Bastian Schweinsteiger, Van Gaal was forced to play an ad-hoc starting 11, with Michael Carrick and Blind as the two centre backs.
Rashford retained his spot, and his two goals had United 2-0 up after 32 minutes, before former United player Danny Welbeck scored to make it 2-1 at the interval.
The second half was a cagey affair, however Rashford continued to shine, laying on a goal for Herrera to make it 3-1. Arsenal pulled one back through Mesut Ozil but never looked likely to equalise in the final 20 minutes.
It was a vital three points for United which kept them in the hunt for the top four, but the week belonged to Marcus Rashford.
May 21, 2016: Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
FA Cup final week was marred by speculation of Van Gaal’s axing, after it was confirmed that United had missed out on the top four.
The Red Devils only made one change from the 11 that beat Everton in the semi-final, with Antonio Valencia in for Timothy Fosu-Mensah.
The match was a drab affair, with United in full control without creating too many clear-cut chances. Jason Puncheon came on for Palace in the 72nd minute, and six minutes later he blasted the ball into David De Gea’s net from a tight angle.
United were less than ten minutes from a cup final defeat, when Rooney glided into the Palace box, chipping the ball in for Fellaini, who chested it down for Mata to slot home the equaliser.
Jesse Lingard was brought on in the 90th minute for Mata with the game heading into extra time. Moments before halftime in extra time, Smalling dragged down Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, which led to his second yellow and United were down to ten. De Gea made a stellar save off Dwight Gayle to keep United in the final.
Then came the moment in the 110th minutes, as lifelong United fan Lingard lathered a volley into the Palace net, putting his side ahead for the first time. The final ten minutes where a blur, but then, the final whistle, delirium.
Manchester United had won the FA Cup for the first time since 2004, the proud club’s first major trophy in a post-Ferguson world.
What are the moments that stand out for you from Louis van Gaal’s two seasons in charge?
Follow Dylan on Twitter @dylaneloiarvela
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