Arsene Wenger has suggested Manchester United’s treatment of manager Louis van Gaal is ‘disrespectful’ as speculation continues over his future.

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Only two weeks ago United were saying Van Gaal would be at the helm for the remainder of his contract, which expires at the end of next season, but since then the club have gone on a woeful run.

Van Gaal’s situation has come under intensified scrutiny since Chelsea sacked Jose Mourinho last week – with many putting two and two together and suggesting he would be the man to be installed as the immediate replacement at Old Trafford should Van Gaal be ousted.

United have not won in six games and a home defeat to Norwich on Saturday was their third loss in succession, leaving them outside the Premier League top four after being knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage.

The Red Devils travel to Stoke on Saturday and it remains unclear if van Gaal will be at the helm – but Arsenal boss Wenger, whose side outclassed United in a 3-0 win earlier in the season, believes past successes mean the former Hol land coach should be given time to address the issues at the club.

Speaking of Mourinho’s sacking and his next managerial move, Wenger launched a defence of the 64-year-old amid speculation he will be replaced by the former Real Madrid coach.

When asked if he could see Mourinho turning up at Old Trafford, Wenger, whose side face Southampton on Saturday, replied: “I do not want to go into a world of speculation. I personally have a huge respect for Louis van Gaal and I think what is going on there is disrespectful.

“This guy has worked for 30 years in football and has delivered unbelievable quality of work. I think it is a bit disrespectful what is going on there. I think a lot has been made on that (Mourinho’s departure), and I do not need to add anything.

“I do not want anyone to lose their job, my personal feelings on that front is that it is always sad when someone loses their job.”

At 66 and 64, Wenger and Van Gaal are the elder statesmen of the Premier League and both started their coaching careers around the same time – Wenger at Strasbourg in 1984 and Van Gaal as assistant at AZ Alkmaar in 1986.