Louis van Gaal has left a final message as Manchester United manager after being sacked today.

Just over 48 hours after winning the FA Cup at Wembley, the Dutchman was relieved of his duties as United manager after the Reds finished fifth in the Premier League and as a result, failed to qualify for the Champions League.

And in a statement published on the Manchester United website, the 64-year-old thanked the club for the opportunity to fulfil his long-held ambition of managing United.

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He said:

It has been an honour to manage such a magnificent club as Manchester United FC, and in doing so, I have fulfilled a long-held ambition.

I am immensely proud to have helped United win the FA Cup for the 12th time in the club’s history. I have been privileged during my management career to have won 20 trophies but winning the FA Cup, which is steeped in so much history, will always be one of the most special achievements of my career.

Van Gaal also said he was ‘disappointed’ at not seeing out the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, but also felt that the foundations were there for United to achieve further success:

I am very disappointed to be unable to complete our intended three-year plan. I believe that the foundations are firmly in place to enable the club to move forward and achieve even greater success.

I hope that winning the FA Cup will give the club a platform to build upon next season to restore the success that this passionate set of fans desire.

I thank my players and wish them well for next season. It has been a pleasure to work with them and it has been particularly rewarding to see so many young players take their chance to break into the first team and excel. I look forward to watching the continued development of these young players next season.

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Finally, he praised United fans and thanked the staff behind the scenes at the club:

I would also like to express my gratitude to the amazing United supporters. They are truly the best fans in the world.

I am indebted to my support and coaching staff, who have given me their all during their time at the club.

I am deeply grateful to each and every member of the club’s staff – the sports science team, the medical team, the kit and laundry department, club administration, the press office, the manager’s team, the Academy team, ground staff and the catering team, both at Old Trafford stadium and Carrington training ground, all of whom have given me their unwavering support in my time at United. Never in my 25 years as a manager have I been so well supported in my role.

Finally, my special thanks go to Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton for always making me and my family feel so welcome throughout my time as Manchester United manager.