Louis van Gaal bemoans fans' expectations to play down sacking rumours

Expectations at Manchester United are too high and not easy to meet, according to manager Louis van Gaal, who is looking to salvage a frustrating season by winning the FA Cup later this month.

Victory against Crystal Palace at Wembley on May 21 would secure a first trophy since 2013 and could go some way towards mollifying the club's disgruntled fan base, whose team are running out of matches to qualify for the Champions League.

United are fifth in the standings, four points outside the top four and with three games left to overhaul either Manchester City or Arsenal (67 points) for the final berth in Europe's elite club competition next season.

"Expectations are too high," the Dutchman said at United's player of the year award ceremony.

"We are in a period of transition. It is not so easy. We have to meet the expectations of the biggest club in the world."

The 64-year-old, who has come under scrutiny for the side's uninspiring style of play despite a host of high-profile signings, said constant speculation in the media over his future had undermined his relationship with the players.

"When the media is writing for six months I am sacked already... I can cope with that. It is not new for me. For my players, it is not so easy," he added.

Goalkeeper David de Gea was named the club's player of the year for the third consecutive season, while the first-team squad voted defender Chris Smalling as their player of the season.