Louis van Gaal called coverage of reports he offered to step down as manager of Manchester United "awful and horrible."

United has won just three of their past 14 matches.

"I think I don't have mentioned that [offering to resign] ever," he said in a news conference.

"I think that you make your own stories and then I have to answer on your stories. I am not doing that because I think it is awful and horrible and you can write, and a lot of colleagues have written that, and then I have to answer the questions of their stories. I don't think I have to do it. I don't think the press conference is the moment to talk for that.

"When you make your stories, I am very concerned the people are believing what you are writing and because I receive a lot of calls and messages."

Referring to suggestions he was on the brink of the sack in December, Van Gaal added: "You can write what you want and it is now the third time already that I have been sacked and I am still sitting here for you and I am here because I am obliged to do that.

"When you ask me, of course, I have certain people I like because they put a question a very respectful way but a lot is in a very disrespectful way."