I will not resign as Manchester United manager – Louis van Gaal

Under-fire manager Louis van Gaal said he would not quit after Manchester United extended their run without a victory to eight games in all competitions with a 0-0 draw with champions Chelsea in the Premier League on Monday (December 28).

Sixth-placed United produced an improved display at Old Trafford, having limped to a 2-0 defeat at Stoke City on Saturday, enjoying two-thirds of the possession without being able to break down Chelsea’s defence.

Goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois for Chelsea and David de Gea both worked hard in the evening match.

“We have dominated the game I think for seventy per cent,” said van Gaal afterwards. “We have created chances; we have shoots on the goal. The goalkeeper was beaten and then post, inside post, fantastic save of the goalkeeper with both running in the area and also of course David de Gea did a very good save,” he said, describing his team as “unlucky.”

The Dutchman was again asked about his tenure at United, and whether he would walk away from the club after recent bad form. He said he had been misreported recently, having simply said that in the past he had walked away from clubs, so either a club’s board or the manager himself could initiate a split.

Van Gaal said he was only too aware that poor form could force a club to sack its manager, but he had the backing of the players and would fight on.

“I know that there are circumstances that a board has to decide to sack the manager,” he said. “And I am looking always from my point of view and that can be not the right view. And in this crazy world, football world, it can happen every day. Also with me as I have said. When it is happening to Jose Mourinho then it can happen also with me.”

Van Gaal continued that it was those around the Premier League that were fanning the belief that Manchester United was in crisis.

“The environment is making the crisis. Inside of the club 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 is very confident in the staff and their manager. So it is not inside Manchester United, it is our environment and you are part of that,” he said, looking at the reporters.

Interim manager Guus Hiddink was satisfied with Chelsea’s draw at Manchester United on Monday, especially as the Premier League champions played without a recognised striker.

Diego Costa was suspended after being booked in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Watford while fellow attackers Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao were sidelined by injury, forcing winger Eden Hazard to occupy the unfamiliar position of centre forward.

“As everyone knows we have some problems in our striker’s positions due to suspension and injuries so we have to think how to solve that problem, and we thought to do it with Hazard,” said Hiddink. “He’s done it before and he is capable to do so because he is a very versatile player and this is how we dealt with this situation. And I am pleased of course, we had some two open options in the second half with (Nemanja) Matic but on the other hand Man U was pressing although not creating a lot of chances.”

Hiddink, who took over three games ago when Jose Mourinho was sacked, said he was pulling the team together after months of poor results.

“Defensively we are well organised,” he said. “We didn’t have the full power to hurt but I think what is important now is that everyone is convinced to give his best for the team and that is what I like to see. I think it is normal to see the character of the player, the desire, but I thought they showed a lot of ambition in the last three games. That is what we are asking and automatically, when everyone is on board, hopefully we can use the quality of the players as well.”

Manchester United go on to play Swansea on January 2 while Chelsea travel to Crystal Palace on January 3.