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Man United news: All the latest
Manchester United sacked Louis van Gaal just two days after winning the FA Cup
Dutchman retired from management after turning down offers from the Far East
Van Gaal believes he had his 'head in a noose for six months' at Old Trafford
He counts the FA Cup as the biggest trophy of his career after a tough period
Read: Louis van Gaal: A Man Utd flop but still the 'Iron Tulip'

Published: 07:25 EDT, 17 January 2017 | Updated: 07:43 EDT, 17 January 2017

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Louis van Gaal felt like he had his 'head in a noose' during his final six months at Manchester United - despite leading the club to FA Cup glory.

The Dutchman, who announced his retirement from management on Monday, was sacked just two days after United's extra-time victory over Crystal Palace at Wembley last May.

However, winning silverware wasn't enough for Van Gaal, with five Premier League defeats in the second half of the season leaving his side in fifth place and without Champions League football.

Louis van Gaal lifts the FA Cup after leading Manchester United to victory over Crystal Palace

Jesse Lingard's stunning goal in extra-time gave United a 2-1 win against Alan Pardew's side

VAN GAAL AT UNITED

Matches: 103

Games won: 54

Games drawn: 25

Games lost: 24

Goals for: 158

Goals against: 98

Win percentage: 52.4%

Jose Mourinho's summer appointment was mooted long before it became official, leaving the former Barcelona boss to fend off questions about his future while trying to squeeze into the top four.

And it was because of the tough situation off the pitch that Van Gaal classes the FA Cup win against Alan Pardew's side as the most impressive trophy of his 30-year career, despite lifting titles in Spain, Holland and Germany, and the Champions League with Ajax in 1995.

'The last six months at United, the circumstances, were so difficult,' he told De Telegraaf.

Jose Mourinho, pictured on the touchline against Liverpool, replaced Van Gaal last summer

Van Gaal has won the European Cup with Ajax (left) and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich

'That is why the trophy I won, the FA Cup, I consider the biggest trophy in my career.

'When they have put you on a stage with your head on the block, my head was in a noose for six months.

'Under those circumstances I was expected to inspire the players every day. Going to the absolute climax of the FA Cup Final, ending with 10 men and having to score to win in extra-time.

'Having gone through all that, and then walking away with the trophy, was incredible for me.'