Ex-Man United boss Louis van Gaal enjoys a glass of red wine in the sunny Algarve - months after announcing he's free of prostate cancer

Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has shared a heartwarming picture of him enjoying a glass of red wine while on holiday with his wife, just months after revealing he is free from prostate cancer.

Van Gaal, 74, who was diagnosed in late 2020 but kept the news private until April 2022, was suffering from an 'aggressive' form of cancer during his third spell in charge of the Netherlands.

At the 2022 World Cup, the ex-Red Devils boss underwent approximately 25 radiation therapy sessions, hormone injections, surgeries, catheters, and urine bags while coaching the national team — and a year later admitted in an interview that it would be a 'miracle' if he ever able to go to the toilet by himself again.

But the former Netherlands head coach, who retired in 2022 to focus on his battle with cancer, has seen his health improve dramatically over the past two years and announced in July that he is now completely cancer free.

'I no longer suffer from cancer,' he said. 'Two years ago, I had a few surgeries. It was all bad then.

'But it all worked out in the end, so I can manage it now. I have checkups every few months, and that's going well. I'm getting fitter and fitter.'

The Dutchman, who is still receiving check-ups every few months, posted a photograph of him holidaying with his wife Truus in Portugal on Monday.

'Enjoying the September sunshine together in the beautiful Algarve,' Van Gaal posted on social media platform Instagram.

The couple, who own a holiday home near Albufeira, Algarve, beamed as they each held a glass of red wine to the camera, sitting and dining at a restaurant on the docks with sunglasses on.

The post has chalked up over 18,000 likes at the time of writing, with many fans keen to send well wishes to the ex-Manchester United manager after his recent health struggles.

Van Gaal married Truus in 2008, having previously been wed to first wife Fernanda Obbes with whom he shared two daughters Brenda and Renate. 

Obbes sadly passed away in 1994 after a battle with liver and pancreatic cancer.

Van Gaal coached Man United between 2014 and 2016, lifting the FA Cup during his final season at Old Trafford. 

Despite lifting silverware, he was sacked just two days later after leading United to fourth-place and fifth-place finishes across his two seasons.

He then took a five-year break from management for 'family reasons', before returning to the Netherlands dugout in 2021. 

Before managing in England, Van Gaal enjoyed stints at Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, AZ Alkmaar, and two tenures with his national team.

He won 566 of his 930 games as a manager - a 60.86 per cent win rate - and is considered by many as one of the greatest tacticians of the modern era.