Louis van Gaal latest: Wayne Rooney insists players are 'fighting' for Manchester United manager

Captain urges teams to 'stick together'

Louis van Gaal shakes Wayne Rooney’s hand ( (Getty)

Wayne Rooney has inisted that the Manchester United players are 'fighting' for Louis van Gaal amid speculation over the Dutchman's future.

Van Gaal has come under intense pressure following a run of results that has seen the club drop out of the Champions League and fall to fifth in the Premier League. The six game winless run sees Manchester United nine points behind league leaders Leicester City as they head into their Boxing Day fixture with Stoke City.

Questions over his future led Van Gaal to exit his press conference on Wednesday early, a move that only intensified the sense of unrest at Old Trafford.

However, Rooney says the players are behind Van Gaal.

"Obviously you have a lot of people talking about things they believe are happening but in reality a lot of people who are writing that stuff don't know what's happening," Rooney told Sky Sports News HQ.

"We're working hard and fighting for the manager to try to get results and turn the season around. It's important we all stick together."

The Independent understands that if Manchester United lose to either Stoke on Saturday, or in their following match, against Chelsea, Van Gaal will be dismissed.

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is the favourite to take over should that happen.