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| Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal at a press conference Getty Images |
Louis van Gaal has labelled reports that he offered to resign as manager of Manchester United
as “awful and horrible”, and stressed that each time he has been
written off he has bounced back to remain in charge at Old Trafford.
It emerged on Tuesday that Van Gaal may have asked United if he was
needed to walk away from the club, given they suffered a sixth defeat in
the Premier League this season in the 1-0 defeat by Southampton, only for the club to dismiss the reports later in the day.
Van Gaal returned from attending his daughter’s wedding in the
Netherlands on the same day, and although he did not meet with United’s
executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, there was speculation over his
future as manager
But ahead of Friday’s FA Cup fourth round tie with Derby County, the
Dutchman appeared in a defiant and, at times, concerned mood and
responded to the reports surrounding his immediate future at the club.
"I don't think that I have ever mentioned it,” the 64-year-old responded when asked if has offered his resignation.
"I think you make your own stories and then I have to answer about
your stories, and I am not doing that because it is awful and horrible
that you can write that and then I have to answer the questions of your
story.
"I am very concerned people are believing what you are writing. I
receive a lot of calls and SMSs, but it is this world that you can write
what you want and you don't have to verify anything.
"It is now the third time already that I have been sacked, and I am still sitting here for you."
But
despite the stern defence of his position at United, Van Gaal did
concede that one more defeat – to Championship side Derby – could well
result in the end of his tenure at the club.
"When you lose it is more worse and I predicted already, before the
game against Southampton, that I cannot lose any more because I am then
condemned for the fourth time that I have been sacked,” Van Gaal added.
“Maybe then you have written the truth, because sometimes it happens."
"You have to win, because then you are out of the FA Cup."
Van Gaal also confirmed that United will be without right-back Matteo
Darmian for Friday night’s trip to the iPro Stadium, and was unable to
confirm if Phil Jones and Bastian Schweinsteiger were in a condition to
return from injury.
With Woodward still firmly behind the former Ajax, Barcelona and
Bayern Munich manager though, Van Gaal admitted it was a nice feeling to
have the support of the club’s hierarchy, even if it causes more
pressure to be put on him to succeed this season.
"It is fantastic, of course. That gives you a lot of pressure because
when the board has such confidence in you then the pressure is much
higher than when they say it is your last game, or something like that,
because then the confidence is not so high, and you can fight against
it.
"When you can fight you have bigger motivation than when they support you. I am always fighting."
Van Gaal also confirmed that United will be without right-back Matteo
Darmian for Friday night’s trip to the iPro Stadium, and was unable to
confirm Phil Jones’ and Bastian Schweinsteiger’s return from injury with
both set to miss the FA Cup encounter.
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| Michael Carrick will return to the United squad for the FA Cup tie with Derby |
However, he did reveal a welcome return for the midfielder, Michael
Carrick, with the England international missing United’s last four
matches with a knee injury. But despite the 34-year-old available for
selection, Van Gaal did admit that the match has come too early for him
to play a full 90 minutes.
However, he did reveal a welcome return for the midfielder, Michael
Carrick, with the England international missing United’s last four
matches with a knee injury. But despite the 34-year-old available for
selection, Van Gaal did admit that the match has come too early for him
to play a full 90 minutes.
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