Louis van Gaal lifted the FA Cup at Wembley, but it will not stop Manchester United appointing Jose Mourinho as their new manager.

Van Gaal had hoped that he would have been given the ­opportunity to work the final season of his three-year contract if he lifted the FA Cup .

But that summit will confirm his departure a year early from Old Trafford. Woodward’s determination not sack his second manager in three seasons has been undone by United’s failure to qualify for the Champions League.

And even though Jesse Lingard’s goal gave United their first win in the tournament since 2004, the Glazers had become increasingly concerned that they would face a fans’ revolt if they failed to wield the axe.