Louis van Gaal has described Ed Woodward as an “evil genius” – and insists he holds the Manchester United executive vice-chairman responsible for his brutal sacking.

The Dutch coach was shown the door at Old Trafford after delivering their first major piece of silverware post-Sir Alex Ferguson – the FA Cup in 2016.

He faced the humiliation of learning about his imminent departure in the immediate aftermath of lifting the trophy at Wembley, with Jose Mourinho set to take over.

Despite being a mentor to Mourinho during their time at Barcelona, Van Gaal refuses to point the finger at the man who succeeded him.

He told podcast, Een-tweetje met Yves: “I blame Ed Woodward, my CEO at Manchester United, much more than Mourinho. In my view, Woodward is an evil genius.”  TOP ARTICLES1/5READ MOREManchester United midfielder Paul Pogbaaiming to be best in the world after coronavirus hiatus

Woodward has sacked three managers in the space of seven seasons since Ferguson retired in 2013.

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David Moyes lasted eight months after a disastrous first campaign, Van Gaal was then given two years before Mourinho was sacked midway through his third term.

Woodward recently described the process of delivering the ax as “grim.”

“It’s not a pleasant experience and I hope that I never have to do it again,” he told United We Stand. “You know you have to do it so you just get on with it.

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