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Louis van Gaal - pictured for the first time since his sacking as Manchester United manager - cut a far more relaxed figure than in his final days at Old Trafford as he dined in the sunshine after escaping to his holiday home on the Algarve.

In contrast to the series of increasingly tetchy appearances he made before leaving United, Van Gaal appeared in a tranquil mood as he strolled through the luxury golf and beach resort of Vale de Lobo with his wife Truus, while wearing shorts, a casual polo shirt and matching blue loafers.

The couple dined al fresco under the Portuguese sunshine with the former Holland manager enjoying a glass of white wine while possibly contemplating a future away from football after trophy-winning stints in his homeland, Spain, Germany and England.