GOAL

Louis van Gaal is confident he will guide Manchester United to the Premier League title before his contract expires in 2017.

The 63-year-old, who plans to retire when his contract expires in 2017, is confident he will depart on a high having guided the club back to the top of English football

The Dutchman penned a three-year deal at Old Trafford last summer, revealing in March that the job will be his last in football, and adding that he expects assistant Ryan Giggs to succeed him when he retires.

Despite being knocked out of both domestic cups early and failing to mount a realistic title challenge in his debut campaign, Van Gaal is confident his methods will take United back to the top of English football.

"I have a period of three years and I am sure I will win a championship or a title within the three years. Maybe we can do that next year," Van Gaal told reporters.

"The process hasn't worked quickly here because when I was with other teams I had already won titles by now.

"Normally, our philosophy shall win titles. But we have had to make big changes here, not just in the philosophy but in the accommodation and structure of the club."