Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended under-pressure Manchester United counterpart Louis van Gaal and said his treatment is "disrespectful."
Former Netherlands boss Van Gaal has been under increasing pressure after his side lost 2-1 to Norwich at Old Trafford on Saturday -- their third defeat in a row.
Sources have told ESPN FC his position is being discussed, with reports linking Jose Mourinho -- whose agent has denied any deal -- with a move to United.
But Wenger, asked whether he thought Mourinho, who left Chelsea last week, could become the new United manager, told a news conference: "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 of that [Mourinho's departure], and I do not need to add anything.
"I do not want anyone to lose their job, and my personal feelings on that front is that it is always sad when someone loses their job."
Wenger said he would welcome the potential arrival of Pep Guardiola, who has been linked with United and neighbours Manchester City, in the Premier League.
Guardiola revealed on Sunday that he would leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season, and Wenger said: "Personally I don't like the fact that the managers come out so early for what they will do.
"It's not necessarily good for their own team, nor for the speculation about the managers who are going through a little bit of a difficult patch.
"I would welcome him to the competition. I think he is of course a top-quality manager, nobody would dispute that. I think about the positive attitude he has towards the game and the fact he wants his team to play football in a positive way. I respect that highly."