Michael Carrick lashes claims of lack of effort as ‘disrespectful’

Michael Carrick claims it is “disrespectful” to say Manchester United’s players are not giving their all for Louis van Gaal.

United’s latest defeat to Stoke stretched their winless run to seven matches, 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.

“But I think 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.”

Carrick admitted the players’ pride had been dented by United’s longest run without a win since the 1989-90 season, and called on his team-mates to respond by beating Chelsea at Old Trafford today.

“We can’t hide from it, we’re not going to hide from it.”