Manchester United vs West Ham: Louis van Gaal will quit if he loses player backing

Van Gaal says he has no problem with walking out on any club is he loses the dressing room, but stresses that United's current squad is a happy one

Louis van Gaal will walk out on Manchester United if he loses the dressing room's support (Getty Images)

Louis van Gaal has revealed that he will quit Manchester United is he ever loses the dressing room after dismissing reports of unrest at Old Trafford.

United head into Saturday’s Premier League clash off the back of a turbulent week that saw captain Wayne Rooney ruled out of their next two matches at least and reports of disillusioned players unhappy with Van Gaal’s demanding nature.

Midfielder Ander Herrera spoke out to deny that he was unhappy with his bit-part role at United in his 18 months at the club, while Van Gaal himself spoke to dismiss a training ground mutiny following suggestions that his late meals and lengthy training meetings were unsettling the players.

Despite sitting third in the Premier League table and just a victory away from leading the pack, fans are deeply unhappy with the conservative and uninspiring football that the Dutchman is employing at Old Trafford, but that has not stopped the former Netherlands manager from speaking out to defend his position.

"The most important thing is the chemistry between players and staff," Van Gaal said at his pre-match press conference. "And when I have the feeling that the chemistry is there, I will always work to my utmost best.

"But when I have a single feeling that it is not like that, I'm the first coach that quits and I have proved that already with my former clubs and former jobs.

"Yes, of course because I always gave my clubs structure and I think structure is very important in a club, but also in a company, everywhere."

Van Gaal was pushed further to explain how his current relationship with the players is, to which he answered: “It’s good.”

His record appears to support his declaration, having walked out on Barcelona during his second stint with the Catalan club as well as leaving Ajax when he was technical director following a bust-up with then manager Ronald Koeman, now of Southampton.

But he still believes that despite his controversial managerial style, he still leaves a positive impact on clubs once he has departed.

"I'm happy that when I'm gone, people are saying nice things about me," he said.

"It's fantastic that people are saying when I'm gone, 'Oh, he was very good, he gave structure and was the basis for other things'.

"But it's not the most important thing for me. The most important thing for me as a trainer, coach and manager is the chemistry between me and my players and my board. It should be good and otherwise I would be gone."

Meanwhile, it is believed that Van Gaal still has the complete backing of the United board and will be given funds in January to strengthen the side, with his focus on bringing in “pace and creativity” by his own admission to bolster his misfiring attack. United are also believed to be in the market for an additional left-back to help cover the injuries suffered by Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo.