Manchester United fans discovered an unfamiliar sense of happiness last weekend when their club found themselves atop the Premier League for the first time in over two years.
The team’s output this season is showing some semblance of the successful United teams of years gone by and a lot of that is down to the manager, Louis van Gaal.
Things seem to be very much clicking at Old Trafford so, right now, United fans will want the Dutchman to extend his current deal beyond 2017 but Van Gaal has revealed that that’s not very likely because of a promise to his wife.
“Normally I shall leave after next year but what is normal in our football world?” he said.
“You never know so I cannot answer that question but I promised my wife to go with her to our paradise (in Portugal) so it shall be very hard for me to deny that promise.
“I was 55 years old when I went to Bayern Munich and next year I am 65 and if I said that I’d stay a year longer, it shall be very hard on my wife!”
Famously, Sunderland fans sent flowers to Dick Advocaat’s missus in the summer to convince her to allow him to stay on at the Stadium of Light, a decision that we’re sure they regret now.
But it could be something for United fans to ponder if they’re to sway Mrs Van Gaal.
Van Gaal has set himself the target of returning some silverware to Manchester United before he leaves and confirmed that aim in a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Wolfsburg, saying: “I hope so. That is realistic.”
The Champions League will be the big objective for Van Gaal and he explained how much a part that luck plays when dealing with cup competitions.
“Reaching the final is also an aim and winning the final is a little bit luck, I think so it is not only quality,” he added.
“It is quality and luck and I think Manchester United knows and remembers that fantastically when they win the Champions League (in 1999).
“I saw the people of Bayern Munich going downstairs and then United scored in the last minute and then in extra time. You can say that is quality but when you see the match you know it is not like that.”
