30 Dec 2015

Man Utd manager says he won't resign after latest result

5:17 am on 30 December 2015

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he will not resign after his side drew 0-0 with Chelsea in their English Premier League football match.

United have now failed to win in eight games in all competitions - the first time that has happened since 1990 - and are five points behind fourth place.

"When the players give such a performance with a lot of pressure, there's no reason to resign," Van Gaal said.

Wayne Rooney was brought back into the United starting XI after he was dropped for the Stoke defeat on Boxing Day.

Under siege - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal.

Under siege - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal. Photo: Photosport

It has been a testing week for Van Gaal, who before Christmas walked out of a news conference after criticising the media for speculating about his position.

United then lost 2-0 at Stoke, while United scarves with the name of recently sacked Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho on them were sold outside Old Trafford before the game.

Van Gaal, though, is confident he has the support of both the players and the club's board.

"The crisis here is the environment and you [the media] are part of that," he added.

"The players are willing to fight for every metre. The manager is willing to fight. The members of staff are willing to fight and the board has every confidence in the staff and the manager."

Some United fans have recently been calling for former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to replace Louis van Gaal and with United sixth and bottom of the Premier League form table, Van Gaal accepted he was not immune from the sack.

"In this crazy football world it can happen every day and also with me," he said.

"When it happens to Jose Mourinho then it can happen with me."

-BBC