Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal concedes that the club’s supporters have had their faith in the team tested over recent weeks.

The Red Devils have failed to win any of their last six matches in all competitions, including back to back 2-1 defeats in the Premier League against relegation-threatened Bournemouth and Norwich.

This dip in form has seen the Manchester giants slip to fifth in the league standings, nine points behind league leaders Leicester, with their last victory in the top flight coming against Watford on November 21.

Van Gaal knows that the team’s current struggles cannot continue indefinitely, but insists that he has already proven during his time at Old Trafford that he can turn things around.

He said: “Of course the belief of the fans in the manager is also very important. Last year we had only 13 [points, after 10 games] and they believed in me. Now we are in a bad period, we have lost three matches in a row, and their belief has been tested.”

The Dutchman is also convinced that he has the backing of his squad, as he believes the relationship between the players and the coaching team is the most important ingredient to improving both results and performances.

He continued: “The most important support is from the players because the players have to do it on the pitch and the chemistry between the players and the managers, and his staff is very important.”

United will be keen to return to winning ways in their next match when they take on Stoke at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. The Red Devils are priced at 2.25 to win the match, whilst the Potters are on offer at 3.30 and the draw is available at 3.25.