Van Gaal: No reason to quit Manchester United while players can put in a performance like that

Though United failed to win for an eighth successive match in all competitions, their performance was much improved over recent weeks - and the Red Devils' manager gave a hugely positive interview to BT after the match at Old Trafford.

"You can see that my players are fighting for me and that they have given a good performance," he said. "I have seen a good performance and we were the dominant team…

"I have full confidence in the board, and even more so in my players… When the players can give such a performance with this pressure, such a lot of pressure, then there is no reason for me to resign."

This was a major change in stance from the former Barcelona coach, who had openly suggested after Boxing Day's defeat by Stoke that he could walk away.

Pressed on whether the result and performance could save him from the sack, Van Gaal said, "it's for me not an interesting subject because I can have no influence on [the board deciding to sack me]."

[MATCH REPORT: Manchester United denied two penalties in draw with Chelsea]

The beleaguered Dutchman talked up his players' efforts, claiming that the rub of the green is still going against them despite their efforts to make their own luck.

"It was a very good performance, but you have to score the goal - and we didn't," he said.

"We had two big penalty cases, and didn't receive a penalty...

"We are not lucky in finishing. But in former matches I think we don't force the luck, now we have forced the luck but it is still not possible for us….

"Even after that result you can see that the fans were applauding us."

Asked once again about the speculation surrounding his future, Van Gaal shrugged philosophically.

"This [speculation] is happening so much in this football world," he said.

"In my first year as a manager they [the fans] were yelling every week at me, then in my first year I won the UEFA Cup and the yelling stopped.

"Here, they are still applauding - not everyone, but many."