In an interview with The Independent, Van Gaal said: “I have always coped with [criticism]. Barcelona is a very critical environment, because the result and the performance is very important. In England, it is more the result than performance, only when Paul Scholes started he influenced a certain amount of fans.
“What Scholes is thinking, he has to think it. Every human being can give his opinion. I don’t bother about that, I think it is good. But my problem is when you create an atmosphere, a very negative atmosphere for somebody, so maybe he should be more positive."
Van Gaal - who also said he had not asked his assistant, Ryan Giggs, to ask Scholes not to air his criticisms - reiterated that he does not believe United are due to replace him with Mourinho.
He added: “I have not said that we have spoken, but he [Mourinho] is my friend, so there you go. But I don’t know if Manchester United have spoken with Mourinho or not.
“I can only say that I have spoken with [United’s executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward and I cannot imagine that they have spoken with each other.
"I think that if they speak with another manager, they would tell me because our relationship is like that. But I think that, if they want to change, they have to prepare themselves. That is also a professional attitude, in my opinion.
“If they are thinking that they want to replace me, they have to prepare and they have to enquire, that is what I think. But if it is like that, they have to say it to me. And I believe they will tell me if it is like that. I not only have a strong relationship with Ed, but also with the Glazers. I have a good feeling with the Glazers also.
“And that is why I am annoyed with all the publicity. I have been ‘sacked’ three times and now it is about negotiations starting with Jose Mourinho. The next time, it will be another [manager].”
Van Gaal leaves United
- Telegraph