media reports that he was set to leave Old Trafford, labelling
the media "awful and horrible".
Several newspaper reports claimed Van Gaal had offered to
resign from his position in the wake of United's 1-0 defeat to
Southampton on Saturday.
But, as revealed by Goal on Tuesday, the 64-year-old had
not offered his resignation.
"I think that I have not mentioned that ever," he said of an
offer to quit the club. "You make your own stories and then I
have to answer all your stories.
"I am not doing that because I think it is awful and horrible
that you can write that and then I have to answer the
questions on that story."
United travel to Derby County on Friday in the FA Cup fourth
round, but Van Gaal said he remains worried about the
attention drawn by the inaccurate reports in the build-up to
the clash.
"I am very concerned that people are believing what you are
writing, because I received a lot of calls and SMSs," he
continued.
"It is this world that you can write what you want and you
don't have to verify anything. This is the third time already
that I have been sacked and I am still sitting here for you. I
am here because I am obliged to do that.
"There are some people that I like because they put a
question in a very respectful way, but a lot of it is also in a
disrespectful way."
Van Gaal's future was cast into doubt after a run of only two
league victories in two months which have seen United drop
to fifth spot in the Premier League table, but he has says the
backing of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the
board is of some consolation.
"It’s fantastic of course, but also 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’s your last game or something like that.
"When your confidence is not so high, you can fight against
it, but I always fight. I am always fighting. When you fight,
you have a bigger motivation than when they support you."
The manager will be able to call upon Michael Carrick for the
visit to Derby after the England midfielder's recovery from
injury, but Van Gaal insisted he will not be able to play the
full 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Matteo Darmian will not be available due to the
head injury he suffered against Southampton, while Phil
Jones (foot) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) are still
absent.
"I cannot say [if they are close]," Van Gaal added of the
latter pair. "Every time I make a remark about injuries it is
always difficult because injuries have developments and you
have to wait and see."
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