Van Gaal adamant players are behind him

Louis van Gaal insists he still has the backing of the Manchester United squad as he prepares for what could turn out to be his final game in charge.

Pressure . . . Van Gaal is feeling the heat Source: Getty Images

United's winless run now stands at seven matches following their 2-0 defeat to Stoke on Boxing Day.

The margin of victory may not have looked big on paper, but there was a large gulf in energy, composure, desire and skill between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium.

United hogged possession, but did little with it. There was no flair, penetration or a cutting edge about their play.

And even though most of the 2,557 United supporters who had made the trip down the M6 clapped the players off at the final whistle, Van Gaal did not seem to have much fight left in him when he addressed the media shortly after.

The Dutchman had the support of the board in the build-up to the game in Staffordshire, but he acknowledged after the final whistle that there was a "new situation" now that he had overseen four straight defeats and also discussed the possibility of resigning.

The United manager admitted it would be hard to lift his players for today's home game against Chelsea - a match he desperately needs to win.

"When you lose four matches in a row it's much more difficult," Van Gaal said.

"It's like that. And the pressure of the environment shall increase, so it's much more difficult and there are no artificial ways to solve that. We need a victory and that is very important."

Van Gaal believes his players will fight for him at Old Trafford.

When asked if he thought the players still believed in him, the 64-year-old said: "Until now, I can say 'yes'."

Michael Carrick claims it is "disrespectful" to say United's players are not giving their all for Van Gaal.

The midfielder insists it would be wrong to think that recent poor results show the players are not fighting for the manager.

"I have a lot of pride in myself and in my performances, and I think it is a bit disrespectful when people say that the lads aren't trying for the manager," the United vice-captain said.

"That hurts us a lot because that is not the type of people we are.

"We haven't won games and it is fair enough if people criticise things that have gone wrong on the pitch.

"But I think to say we are not trying for certain people is quite disrespectful and it hurts us a lot.

"We're playing for this great club. It is a special club. It is pride in yourself, pride in the club and pride in everyone, your team-mates and staff."