Van Gaal: I Have Felt Greater Pressure

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the pressure he is currently under at Old Trafford is nothing compared to earlier on in his career.

The 64-year-old Dutchman has come under fire from some supporters after the club slipped to their second consecutive league defeat last Saturday.

The 2-1 loss away to newly promoted Bournemouth was United's fifth game in a row without a win, a run which stretches back to November 21.

However, Van Gaal insists that morale remains high in his squad and dismissed claims that he is under more pressure now than he's ever experienced in his managerial career.

"No, the pressure when I started as a manager was much higher," he said. "I cannot lose now that I am at the end of my career."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has already signalled his intention to retire from football when his contract at Old Trafford expires in 2017.

And the Manchester United manager says he is aiming to end his career on a high.

"I don't want to finish my career with the club sacking me," he said. "That would be a great disappointment for me, to say goodbye to the football world by being fired.

"I think my honour is much more pressure for me than the pressure of the media and the fans."

The Red Devils have struggled to produce an attacking style of football since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and some sections of the United support have criticised Van Gaal's preference for possession football.

"If I lose the confidence of the fans, that for me would be very sad," Van Gaal admitted. "It's always like that when you lose. Then fans have to prove their belief again.

"The board can see what you can do as a manager in practice but the fans cannot see that, so when you lose you need the belief of the fans.

"It is a question for the fans, not the manager."

Van Gaal will be hoping for a positive turnaround in results when United host Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

Club captain Wayne Rooney is in contention to make his 500th appearance for the club after recovering from an ankle injury which has kept him out for three games.

Defender Chris Smalling and midfielder Ander Herrera could also return from injury.

Credit: Skysports.com