Watch Video: Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal slaps a journalist after transfer question

LOUIS VAN GAAL is feeling the heat of the Manchester United fans - and now he's slapped a journalist in the face.

The Dutchman was responding to a question about signing Ashley Cole following the defeat to Southampton.

"He didn't play for a year," was Van Gaal's response.

Van Gaal then left for Holland for his daughter's birthday.

The slap is in jest and does not appear malicious but is another sign of the stress getting to him.

Louis van Gaal slaps a journalist in Holland

Van Gaal's future is being discussed by the United board at having fallen further behind the Champions League places.
Tottenham came from behind to beat Crystal Palace and moved five points clear of United.
 

United have 15 games to salvage a place in the top European competition but Van Gaal appeared to suggest he would not be seeing the job through.

He said: “I’m very disappointed that I cannot reach the expectations of the fans.

“They have - or they had - great expectations of me, and I cannot fulfil them, so I am very frustrated because of that.”

Van Gaal reacts to a journalist's question about Ashley Cole