Louis van Gaal

After the Blues relieved the Portuguese coach of his managerial duties on Thursday, the Red Devils boss admits he thought it was a "big surprise"

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he was shocked to learn that Jose Mourinho had been sacked as manager of Chelsea - and admits he could be next to face the chop.

Mourinho left the Premier League champions by mutual consent on Thursday, with technical director Michael Emenalo citing "a palpable discord" with his players as one of the main reasons for his departure.

Talk of disharmony between Van Gaal and some of his own United players has surfaced during recent weeks, with the 20-time English champions having failed to win any of their last five matches.

Mourinho has even been linked with a possible move to replace Van Gaal at Old Trafford and, while the former Netherlands boss insists the United atmosphere is strong, he accepts results must improve.

"It's fine, but I've said that already more than once. I've seen articles that it's not like that, so it's a bit crazy," he said when asked about the dressing-room morale during a press-conference.

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

"But we have to get results. We have to win, we know that, the players know that, I know that. So there's not any doubt. When you lose too much, also for me, it's the end of the world."