Louis van Gaal grateful for Ed Woodward support

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has thanked the club's vice-chairman Ed Woodward for his "fantastic" support.

Widespread reports have claimed that Van Gaal has offered to resign on three separate occasions since December amid what has been a difficult campaign for the Red Devils, only for Woodward to step in and convince the Dutchman to stay.

The former Netherlands national team coach has denied that he has offered to step down, however, and has suggested that he is not under pressure from the board despite a series of disappointing results.

"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," Van Gaal told reporters.

"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."

Man United will face Championship side Derby County in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Friday night.