Man Utd's Carrick hits out at 'disrespectful' reports

There was no flair, no penetration nor a cutting edge about their play. And even though most of the 2,557 United supporters who had made the trip down the M6 clapped the players off at the final whistle, Van Gaal did not seem to have much fight in him when he addressed the media shortly after.

The Dutchman had the support of the board in the build-up to the game in Staffordshire, but he acknowledged after the final whistle that there was a “new situation” now that he had overseen four straight defeats and also discussed the possibility of resigning.

Time for Woodward to SACK or BACK!!! Giggs waiting for the job Van Gaal waiting for a decision Let’s be honest – this is bad management

— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) December 27, 2015

The United manager admitted it would be hard to lift his players against Chelsea – a match where victory may not even be enough. But Carrick insists it would be wrong to think that shows the players are not fighting for the manager.

“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,” the United vice-captain said. “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. To say we are not trying for certain people is quite disrespectful and it hurts us a lot. We’re playing for this great club. It is a special club. It is pride in yourself, pride in the club and pride in everyone – your team-mates and staff.”

Indeed, Van Gaal claims he still has the backing of the United squad as he prepares for what could turn out to be his final game in charge of the club.

“When you lose four matches in a row it’s much more difficult,” Van Gaal said. “It’s like that. And the pressure of the environment shall increase, so it’s much more difficult and there are no artificial ways to solve that. We need a victory and that is very important.”

Van Gaal believes his players will fight for him at Old Trafford. When asked if he thought the players still believed in him, the 64-year-old said: “Until now, I can say ‘yes’.”

There was an admission from the United manager that United had regressed since they momentarily topped the table with a 2-1 win at Watford last month.

“A month ago we were first in the Premier League but we lost important games and now we have to come back in more difficult situations than last year because last year everyone believed and there was progression, now there is a fallback and that is different and everybody is judging also different,” he said.

“That is what is happening now and you have to cope with it.”

United’s freefall has been profound. They are now sixth in the table having won two league games in their last nine. Even David Moyes had garnered more points at this stage of his sole season in charge of the club. In fact, should United fail to win on Monday night, they will end the year with their lowest points total in 26 years.

With just one day between matches, Van Gaal admits there will be little opportunity for his players to regain their fitness for the match against the champions.

“It’s very difficult because we have to recover, we start after we travel and we have to prepare also the game, it’s very tough to do that,” he said.

Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink is without Diego Costa for the trip to Manchester after the striker picked up a suspension in the 2-2 draw against Watford. Hiddink has also spoke of his belief that Radamel Falcao lacks match fitness, so Loic Remy is likely to start in Costa’s absence.