Michael Carrick has vehemently denied claims that the Manchester United players are refusing to play to their best for manager Louis van Gaal.

United suffered their third consecutive loss in the Premier League when going down 2-0 at the hands of Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day and the poor performances of the players on the day have led to accusations that the squad is not longer willing to give their best for their Dutch boss.

However, veteran midfielder Carrick has taken offence regarding such accusations and has stated that the players remain fully committed behind the under-fire van Gaal.

Carrick said: "Listen, people talk about support but it is not like the lads go out and don't play. We go out there as professionals who are playing for this special club. We are in a privileged position. And it comes from within as well.

"For me, I look at myself at what I can do better as an individual. 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.

"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 to I think to say we are not trying for certain people is quite disrespectful and it hurts us a lot."