Man United boss Louis van Gaal to get £150m war chest even without top-four spot

MANCHESTER UNITED will stick by Louis van Gaal even if he fails to clinch a return to the Champions League – and will be given a £150million-plus transfer war chest to complete his overhaul of the squad.

Louis van Gaal is set to receive a £150million transfer budget at Manchester United

United's faith in Van Gaal's 'project' is understood to remain unshaken despite Monday's FA Cup exit to Arsenal sentencing the club to two consecutive seasons without a trophy for the first time since the late 1980s and disquiet among supporters with United's long ball tactics.

United's top-four hopes face a defining month with games against Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea looming but the Old Trafford hierarchy are understood to be loathe to make another managerial change a year after sacking Sir Alex Ferguson's successor David Moyes.

And they will underline their belief that progress is being made under Van Gaal, who has a three-year contract, by backing him this summer when Southampton right back Nathaniel Clyne, Borussia Dortmund centre-half Mats Hummels, Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman, PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay, West Brom striker Saido Berahino and Burnley free agent Danny Ings will all be on the radar.

Loan star Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Rafael Da Silva could all be heading for the exit door in another major summer upheaval at Old Trafford.