Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick says it is "disrespectful" to claim the club's players are not trying their best for manager Louis van Gaal. United's Boxing Day defeat at Stoke was their fourth in a row and extended their winless run to seven games. Van Gaal, who says he could quit, was at United's training ground on Sunday. "It is a bit disrespectful when people say the lads aren't trying for the manager," said Carrick. "That hurts us - it's not the type of people we are." The United vice-captain added: "We haven't won games and it is fair enough if people criticise things that have gone wrong on the pitch. "It is a horrible run, and it is a horrible feeling. It hurts badly. "The run we've been on is just not good enough. We can't hide from it, we're not going to hide from it. That is how it is and we all need to be better."

Man Utd boss says he could choose to quit

 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal said he could "quit by myself" after Stoke City condemned his side to a fourth straight defeat. The Dutchman, under pressure after seven games without a win, was asked whether he feared he would be sacked. "That is something I discuss with [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward not you," Van Gaal told a media conference after the game. "It is not always the club that has to fire or sack me." He added: "Sometimes I do that by myself, but I am the one who wants to speak first with the board of Manchester United and my members of staff and my players, not with you." United's miserable run has seen them knocked out of the Champions League at the group stage and slip out of the top four in the Premier League. "I have received [the club's backing] all the time but we have lost so there is a new situation," said Van Gaal. "I feel the support of my players and my board. The fans will be disappointed but that is logical after four defeats."

Manchester United must improve 'immediately'

 Louis van Gaal says Manchester United can change their fortunes around but must make an "immediate improvement". The under-pressure United boss walked out of a news conference after less than five minutes on Wednesday. United have gone six games without a win - including three successive losses - and Van Gaal said he is experiencing his worst period at Old Trafford. He added: "There's no disguising the fact we're in a very bad period. Things must begin to improve immediately." Van Gaal was writing in the United match programme for the 28 December encounter with Chelsea, whose former manager Jose Mourinho has been linked with his job.

Manchester United boss walks out of news conference

Under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal answered only three questions before walking out of a news conference on Wednesday. The 64-year-old Dutchman was unhappy at being asked about his future following speculation that he could be sacked. The media briefing, ahead of Saturday's game at Stoke, lasted only five minutes before Van Gaal's departure. The former Netherlands boss said he had only turned up to speak to journalists because of Premier League rules. As he left, he told the reporters: "I wish you a merry Christmas and maybe also a happy new year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye." United are without a win in six games, having lost their last three matches to Wolfsburg, Bournemouth and Norwich.

Champions League draw: English clubs to learn Euro fate on Monday

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City will learn who they face in the last 16 of the Champions League when the draw is made in Switzerland on Monday. Chelsea and Manchester City will be in pot one having qualified as group winners, meaning either could face French champions Paris St-Germain. As Group F runners-up, Arsenal are in pot two and potentially face either Real Madrid or Barcelona. The draw takes place at 11:00 GMT at Uefa's headquarters in Nyon.