Louis van Gaal has admitted that he does not want his managerial career to come to a close by being sacked by Manchester United.

The Dutchman's position at Old Trafford has been brought into question as the club, despite sitting in fourth place in the table, are winless in five in all competitions, falling 2-1 to lowly Bournemouth last time out and being ousted from the Champions League last week.

The 64-year-old, who is expected to retire when his contract expires in 2017, insists that he is eager to keep the support of everyone at the club as he tries to get things back on track.

"I don't want to finish my career with the club sacking me. That would be a great disappointment for me to say goodbye to the football world by being fired," he told reporters.

"I have the full confidence of my board and players, that is what I feel.

"But we have to get results, we have to win. We know that, the players know that, I know that and members of staff know that."

Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti are among the names to have been linked with succeeding Van Gaal in the Old Trafford hotseat.