You and I don't know the precise terms of his contract, and nor do we know the terms of his severance package, but I know how united operate and the name at the end might be Van Gaal's, but the words were principally written by the club, of that I am sure.
If you think an anodyne valedictory isn't expressly provided for as part of the terms of a manager's severance package at united then you are as easily hoodwinked as those mugs who follow the rags who believe in "the united way".
If he was such a man of unwavering principle he would have walked out of the club weeks ago, when it was obvious to anyone with three brain cells that he was on his way out. Instead he waited for his pay-off, included in which would be an obligation to provide a statement such as the one released by united yesterday.
As to that being the best joke about the man, I can think of a few more likely candidates, but whatever lights your fire, I guess.