Graeme Penman: Two eminently losable games for United coming up - Newcastle and Liverpool, both away. Won't hold my breath.  

James Hulbert: Of course Man United fans should be unhappy. Yet another unimpressive performance. Jose is waiting so why is LVG STILL here?

Shane Long: As a United fan I am happy with LVG. Unfortunately the media seem to have it in for one of the game's great managers.

Paul Hallett: LVG has lost the plot. Does he think a scrappy penalty will keep us happy after the season he's given us? No idea of the club.

Final snippet from Van Gaal before he exits the building.

He is reminded of his quotes saying that he inherited a broken squad when he arrived at Old Trafford. He's asked if he has fixed it yet.

"It is a process and I have said many times that we are in that process," said the United boss.

Image source, Getty Images

"We have had ups and downs. We have won two times in a row and maybe that shall give us a boost. You never know. Now we are playing away. That is also different.

"Newcastle are playing very well. Against Arsenal they played very well but didn't win. That is the most important thing in football. I hope they don't win against us."

And that's it, Louis leaves, and another memorable Man United press conference comes to a close...

Seems a bit tetchy this.

It's suggested to Van Gaal that he is more concerned with the opposition than his own team. "Do you know that?" he says. "First you have a suggestion then I have to answer the question."

'Are you?' the journalist ventures.

"No. I am not more concerned," says Van Gaal. "It is part of the job. You have to know what they want and how they play. Then you can help your players.

"I am more thinking how we have to attack and improve. Because we are defending very well, you are asking this question. Attack is more creative and intuition than defending."

Image source, Getty Images

Van Gaal is asked if he agrees that Saturday's Cup win over Sheffield United was boring to watch?

"It is not so easy to win against a team that has 11 players in a square metre from 20 metres," responds the boss.

"You can see that when you analyse the game. You can also be blind for that.

"When you don't score in first 15 minutes. they are getting more motivation from the fact we haven't scored."

That'd be a no then.

Here's something that Man United fans might not exactly appreciate - Van Gaal has told them they should be happy.

"You can be very negative, but we are in the next round," says the United gaffer.

"We have won two matches in a row out of a bad period.

"You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we have won two matches in a row and we are in the next round."

Do you agree United fans? Let us know...

Louis van Gaal is in the building.

Image source, Getty Images

The Man United boss was a few seconds away from facing a mega bout of criticism at the weekend - only to be rescued by a last-gasp Wayne Rooney penalty, as the Reds stuttered past League One Sheffield United in the FA Cup.

Asked why the home fans started leaving before Rooney's 93rd-minute match-winner, Van Gaal said: "Maybe we haven't scored. Maybe the traffic. There are many reasons why someone might leave early.

"When I was looking at matches to analyse an opponent, I have done that also. I leave the stadium five minutes before.

"You never know what the reason is."

Not sure exactly what they do to their players at Villarreal but striker Roberto Soldado - better known to English football fans for his rather dismal spell at Tottenham - has tweeted this photo, external of himself in a machine that appears to be set to minus 196 degrees.

Let's hope that isn't accurate or else Roberto is not going to be in a good way when he steps out...

Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has confirmed negotiations are ongoing to strengthen his squad during the transfer window.

They were beaten in the FA Cup by Watford on Saturday and failed to score for the fourth successive game.

"That's going on behind the scenes quietly," McClaren told BBC Newcastle.

BBC Radio Leicester

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester Tigers have announced the signing of South Africa international JP Pietersen.

The 29-year-old full-back and winger was part of the Springboks squads at the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.    

We asking for the advice you would give Pep Guardiola about English football. He may well be coming to the Premier League in the summer. Here are some comments from the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

Mike Collins:, external Watch out for the post-match interviewers, as they like to ask questions that if you answer honestly they know that the FA will charge you. So if they ask you "what did you make of the referee decision today just don't reply.

Darren Richard Barnsfield:, external I would tell him 1. Your job is as safe as a house of cards 2. Bad refereeing will cost you games, 3. No matter how much a bad game is your players' fault, the blame will always be yours. 4.the media will hype you up and then bring you down with a crash.  

Lisa Draycott Fry:, external Win the league within two years or prepare to be sacked.  

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Get

It's only three Tests since Jonny Bairstow took the gloves from Jos Buttler, but the Yorkshireman says he is in it for the long haul."I first kept for Yorkshire in my second first class game, but then it was three years before I kept for the whole season," he said.

"I'm pleased with how I'm catching the ball and how I'm moving my feet in practice.

"I'd like to think I'm in the side for my keeping for a long time now as I've put in a lot of time, energy and pain into it and can't see any reason why I won't be keeping for England in the future."

Adam Bridge
BBC WM

Image source, Getty Images

"There was a reluctance from Remi Garde to be drawn on any non footballing matters this morning at Bodymoor and who can blame him.

"The frustration of the Villa fans he witnessed on Saturday has not just been building up over the 10 weeks of his reign, it goes back months if not years.

"For too long now he has been faced with questions he simply can't provide answers to.

"He has the same squad as his predecessor and so it would appear the same problems as McLeish and Lambert before him.

"His request for a statement from the owner should be applauded, surely it's time the man who ultimately makes the decisions speaks. Not only for the sake of Villa fans but also to allow the manager to get on with his job."

Time for another one of our fancy Ballon d'Or graphics.

Of course, Barcelona are likely to increase their number tonight as both Lionel Messi and Neymar are on the three-man shortlist. If they don't win, then it is another one to Real Madrid's total with Cristiano Ronaldo celebrating.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonny Bairstow is no longer just in the side for his batting though and he's been addressing concerns over his wicketkeeping after a few missed catches and stumpings in the series so far."You can never say you've nailed down your place in the side but I'm just pleased with the contributions I've made," he said.

"I've only kept in four or five Tests so I'm still bedding in to that role and it's a massive learning curve.

"I'm pleased with the way my keeping is going but it's still a work in progress."

Image source, Getty Images

“It is an honour and a privilege to manage such a fantastic group of people who represent their country with incredible pride and passion," says England coach Mark Sampson, after signing a new two-year deal to stay in charge of the Lionesses until the 2019 World Cup. 

“It is an incredibly exciting period for all players and supporters of the Lionesses and I am proud to continue leading the team through this special journey.”

A Question of Sport Teaser

Today's teaser from our Question of Sport colleagues...

Since 1970 who are the five players to have won the Ballon d'Or award whilst playing for Barcelona?

A tricky one. We'll bring you the answers later.

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow has been speaking to the media before the third Test against South Africa, which will be held in Johannesburg and starts on Thursday.

He begins by looking back on his first Test century during the drawn second Test in Cape Town, having fallen for 95 at Lord's against South Africa in 2012.

"It was amazing, my family were out there so it was a big week for them too and to miss out in 2012 was getting to be a bit of a pain in the backside," he said.

"To contribute not just in the last game but the first Test as well was really pleasing and it was an emotional week."

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at the Aon Training Complex

"Just as it seemed Louis van Gaal had ridden out the storm brewing over his Manchester United future, questions are being asked about him again.

"Saturday’s unimpressive 1-0 Old Trafford win over League One Sheffield United in the FA Cup was accompanied by withering criticism from United legend Paul Scholes.

"Van Gaal is about to face the media again, to preview tomorrow's trip to Newcastle.

"It is a fair bet Scholes, and Sheffield United, will get a mention."

We will be hearing from Louis van Gaal from 12:30 GMT.

Image source, Simon Stone

Keeping Mark Sampson as coach is a huge boost to the England Women's team.

Sampson led England to third-place at the Women's World Cup in Canada las year.

He will be at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Switzerland later today, where he has been nominated for coach of the year.

The contract extension signed today will see Sampson lead his team through qualification and into the 2019 Women’s World Cup, as well as next summer’s Uefa Women’s European Championship in Holland.