Sunday 7 February 2016 15:15, UK
A defiant Louis van Gaal has rubbished reports that Manchester United have held talks with Jose Mourinho.
The Dutchman admitted the growing speculation has taken a toll on his family members but does not believe United would go behind his back to line up his successor.
"There has been such nonsense created about me," the United manager said ahead of the Super Sunday clash at Chelsea.
"I don't believe that there is already a relationship between Jose Mourinho and Manchester United.
"I cannot believe that it is true, because I have seen what has happened here over the last two months.
"It has been very difficult for me, for my wife, for my kids, for my grandchildren, and for my friends to cope with that.
"But it was the same in Spain and in Germany - and it is the football world these days. I never had doubts. In the Netherlands, they would tell you that I am too arrogant to doubt myself."
United head to Stamford Bridge on Sunday five points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal but Van Gaal believes his team have turned a corner after a disastrous December and believes they can still secure a top-four finish and qualify for the Champions League.
Van Gaal added: "The aim here is still the same - to qualify for the Champions League and to finish one step higher than last year. So third place.
"Leicester have opened a big gap from us, but it is still possible.
"We are in a very good mood. Winning puts you in a good mood. It is very important to be there in April, five points or less from the top.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel. Phil Jones is coming back, Marcos Rojo is coming back, and Antonio Valencia is coming back. We have managed to survive and we are only five points behind the top four. That isn't bad."
United's squad has been extensively overhauled by Van Gaal since he took over, with 35 players leaving the club and 18 coming in, and he believes it is now much stronger than the one he inherited from David Moyes.
"If you look at the selection now to the one I took over, there is no comparison," he said.
"When I came in, there were eight or 10 players over the age of 30. I had to move some out, and people said I was wrong, but in the last 18 months, players like Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have retired. They are not playing football anymore."
Van Gaal is aware of the growing sentiment among some United fans that he is not the right man for the job but he is hopeful he can regain their trust.
"It is logical when you have lost four matches in a row, people are bound to be doubting," Van Gaal said.
"I analysed the circumstances. There is luck and bad luck, but it is still remarkable that after the four defeats in a row we have started to win.
"I hope it has given the fans the stimulus to now believe in the manager."
