LONDON. — Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal angrily derided the latest reports about his future after his team were pegged back in injury time in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The Dutch coach launched an attack on a reporter following more questions on his future.

Van Gaal launched into another bizarre rant after being questioned about Manchester United’s move for Jose Mourinho. The Dutchman, already frustrated at watching his side concede an injury time equaliser against Chelsea, lost his cool after being asked about the club’s interest in Mourinho.

Van Gaal’s tirade came on the day the Special One revealed his intention to return to management “very soon”.

Diego Costa equalised for Chelsea in the 91st minute at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, cancelling out Jesse Lingard’s opener and leaving United six points below the Champions League places in the English Premier League.

Reports emerged on Friday that United have approached ex-Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to succeed Van Gaal, but the Dutchman attempted to slap down a journalist who raised the matter at his post-match Press conference.

When it was put to him that United have not publicly denied the reports, Van Gaal replied: “Why do they have to deny? I don’t interfere neither. So why does the club have to deny that, when you are creating stories?

“You haven’t spoken with (executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward or (owners) the Glazers, and you are inventing a story.

“And then I have to answer that question. I don’t answer this question and I shall repeat myself every week.”

Returning to a previously expressed complaint about the effect the speculation about his future has had on his family, Van Gaal added: “Now I have to say that you are getting the sack tomorrow, eh?

“What is your name? Then I can announce the name also. Look at your wife, maybe you have children, or a nephew or something like that.”

United’s performance at Chelsea was in keeping with the recent improvement that has seen them record comfortable wins over Derby County and Stoke City.

They were good value for the lead procured by Lingard’s 61st-minute strike — a sharp turn and shot after Wayne Rooney had taken the sting out of Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s left-wing cross — but Van Gaal was annoyed that they could not close the game out.

“That’s why I’m frustrated and my players are frustrated,” he said.

“When you are playing like we have played today (Sunday) and you are not making the gap smaller, you can say it’s misfortune, but it’s not the first time that it’s overcoming us.

“Because Newcastle United, for example, also (scored) in extra time (in last month’s 3-3 draw). So we have to do that better. We have to improve in that way.

“But I’m happy with the performance. I think it was not a boring match so for the third time in a row it was sparkling. So I hope also to get the support of the media this week.”

Chelsea felt that they should have been awarded a first-half penalty when John Terry’s shot struck Daley Blind’s elbow, but replays showed that the Dutch defender’s arm had been clamped to his chest.

United goalkeeper David de Gea initially thwarted Chelsea’s quest for an equaliser, Van Gaal hailing his “remarkable” saves from Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas, only for Costa to strike at the death. — AFP.

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