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Live Coverage: Louis van Gaal's weekly Manchester United press conference

Follow Sports Mole's live coverage of Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal's pre-match press conference ahead of his side's match against Hull City.
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Louis van Gaal has said that Manchester United must maintain the "honest" of the Premier League when they face Hull City on the final day of the season.

Steve Bruce's side will be fighting for their place in the top flight when they host United on Sunday.

The Dutchman insists that he will be naming his strongest possible side, despite the team already being guaranteed a Champions League place.

Read what else the manager discussed below.


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Good afternoon! Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal will be speaking to the media in around 15 minutes as he prepares his side to face Hull City on the final day of the Premier League season.

The manager has been speaking to the club's TV channel ahead of his press briefing, and has confirmed that captain Wayne Rooney will play, but David de Gea is a doubt after missing part of training with the injury that forced him off last time out.

A third-placed finish and passage straight into the group stage of the Champions League is still up for grabs this weekend for Manchester United, but they will need Arsenal to slip up in order to climb up a place. However, they face a side that know that they need a win to be in with a chance of avoiding relegation, so it won't be an easy match for United.

Van Gaal will surely face questions about the transfer window this afternoon. There has been plenty of speculation about David de Gea's future at the club, with some publications reporting that he has already penned a deal with Real Madrid. There has also been talk of Angel di Maria and Jonny Evans moving elsewhere in recent days, while Radamel Falcao is due to return to AS Monaco after his loan.

While we wait for the manager to face the media, here's a quote from his interview with MUTV: "It's [David de Gea's] last match of the season, my last match and also the players'. I think you have to put out your strongest team because it's very important for Hull City."

Right then, the manager is ready to speak, so let's see what's on his mind this week...

On his team news, Van Gaal confirms: "Rooney is available, he is captain so he shall play. De Gea has trained today, but only with our goalkeeper trainer. He still has a little problem so I want to wait a day longer, because I want him to play against Hull City."

Turning his attention to the opponents, Van Gaal admits: "It's the same approach as ever. We need to defend our image as Manchester United and we are ending in fourth position, so we have to give our utmost best. We haven't won so many matches away so it's very difficult to beat Premier League club away. We shall do out utmost best. We have to do it for the honesty of the league."

Van Gaal is asked about the prospect of being title contenders next season, and he says: "I have received the time of three years to achieve that, but of course I want to achieve it as soon as possible. We could have won it also this year, I believe. We had a very bad start, and because of that we were behind Manchester City and Chelsea."

The manager confirms that he will be starting to think about the future of his squad this weekend: "You know that I shall talk with them maybe tomorrow, we'll have a farewell drink. After the match, I have the Monday to talk. I have spoken to some players this week. You have to wait and see how these talks develop in terms of players staying or going."

Van Gaal addressed the club's supporters after their final home match of the season last time out while also making a speech at the team's end of season awards ceremony, and he says: "I tell the story in my own words, with passion. I love the fans because they show their belief in me."

Luke Shaw won't be going to the Under-21 European Championships with England this summer. It's been reported that Van Gaal has ordered Young Lions boss Gareth Southgate not to talk about the defender's fitness problems, but the manager insists: "I have read that I am the winner. The winner is Luke Shaw. Maybe it was too fast, the step from Southampton to Manchester United. We have to protect him. He can develop himself into a great talent. Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and Manchester United will benefit from that."

Van Gaal is asked for more details about the goalkeeper situation, with De Gea potentially on his way out, and Victor Valdes waiting in the wings: "First we have to see if David de Gea is leaving, then we shall talk about other things. I still believe David will stay, and I want him to play against Hull."

Despite Hull manager Steve Bruce's history with United, Van Gaal insists that his side won't take it easy against Hull: "I know he is a Manchester United guy, but we have to be fair to Newcastle. We took six points off Newcastle. We have to take six from Hull."

That's all from Van Gaal for now, so join us again on Sunday when we'll have loads of build-up ahead of this match, as well as team news, post-match reaction, player ratings and more. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.

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