Manchester United: Louis van Gaal could extend Old Trafford contract beyond 2017

Louis van Gaal has provided an update on his future at Manchester United, reiterating that he still intends to retire in two years but also hinting that a contract extension is not out of the question.

The Dutchman steered United back into the top four at the first time of asking last term and, along with executive vice chairman Ed Woodward, has spent heavily to improve his squad this summer with the additions of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Morgan Schneiderlin and goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

While it remains to be seen if his side are now strong enough to once again enjoy a prominent role in the Premier League title race, Van Gaal previously confirmed that his current job would be his last in football and that he would step back from the sport when his current deal ends in 2017 in order to spend more time with his family.

Speaking to BBC Sport during United's pre-season campaign in the United States, he reinforced that commitment. The 63 year old said: "I promised that to my wife. We have not many years together any more. That is the reason. I have done everything in my career as a manager."

Expanding further, Van Gaal explained that moving to England was his remaining goal after a long and distinguished managerial career that has taken in spells at Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as two separate stints in charge of the Netherlands, and that he had no desire to move anywhere else in future.

"The only wish was the Premier League. Now I am here. So. I have to go to Qatar to earn still more money? I don't think so. You have to enjoy also your life and your relationship with your wife."

However, while Van Gaal is clear in his wish to end his career at United, just when his time in the Old Trafford dugout will conclude is open to debate.

When quizzed on his plans by different media outlets during a Q&A session in the aftermath of the 3-1 win over Barcelona at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, the manager conceded that he has already informed his wife that he could stay on beyond the current agreement.

"You never know, you can never say: 'I go'," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail when asked if he would take a new deal if an offer was forthcoming.

"I have already said to my wife it might be that we extend in Manchester but normally I have said to my wife that after 55 years I quit. And I am still in business and in two weeks' time I will be 64!"

After goals from Wayne Rooney, Adnan Januzaj and Jesse Lingard were enough to beat a Barcelona side lacking Lionel Messi on Saturday night, Van Gaal's boys continue their International Champions Cup campaign against Paris Saint-Germain at Soldier Field in Chicago on 30 July.

That particular fixture will take on an extra significance with United's club-record signing Angel di Maria reportedly close to joining the reigning Ligue 1 champions after failing to meet up with his teammates over the weekend.

"There is a good possibility [he could sign] but there is nothing official," PSG boss and former United defender Laurent Blanc said in a recent press conference.

"There is an anticipation he is going to come to the US but as to which jersey he is going to wear, we don't know yet."