Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is adamant that the players are still behind beleaguered coach Louis van Gaal.
The Red Devils host Chelsea on Monday evening in what could be a decisive encounter for the Dutch tactician, as he continues to come under intense pressure regarding his future at the club.
Having now lost four consecutive games in all competitions, and having gone without a win in seven, Van Gaal is at risk of losing his job at Old Trafford unless he can get a positive result against the Premier League champions.
United have in turn dropped out of the top four after crashing out of the Champions League earlier in the month, but Carrick insists that the players are still behind the coach as they remain professionals.
“I have a lot of pride in myself and in my performances and I think it is a bit disrespectful when people say that the lads aren’t trying for the manager,” he said, as reported by Sky Sports.
“That hurts us a lot, because that is not the type of people we are.
“We haven’t won games and it is fair enough if people criticise things that have gone wrong on the pitch.
“But I think to say we are not trying for certain people is quite disrespectful and it hurts us a lot.”
United know that a win over Chelsea could take them back into the top four depending on results elsewhere, but it is unlikely that three points will solve the situation entirely with The Telegraph even suggesting that a victory won’t be enough to save Van Gaal.