Smalling: Camp united behind Van Gaal

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has denied suggestions that the team are not playing for under-pressure manager Louis van Gaal.

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has denied suggestions that the team are not playing for under-pressure manager Louis van Gaal.

The Dutchman admitted his job was under threat after United extended their winless run in the Premier League to five games with a 2-0 defeat to Stoke on Boxing Day.

That streak stretched to six on Monday when the Red Devils shared the spoils in a goalless draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford, and a defiant Van Gaal declared afterwards he would not quit as he claimed he still had the support of the dressing room.

Smalling insists it's laughable to suggest the players are not giving their all for the 64-year-old, because their own careers are on the line too.

"That's silly. If anything we are all playing for our own futures as well, so there's not a case of no one not playing for the manager," he said.

"And every week we want to go out there and show everyone what a good team we are and on our day we can beat anyone."

Commenting on the much-improved performance against the Blues, Smalling added: "I think there was a few more shots. I think people weren't afraid to get their shots away and you could see that on another day they could have gone in.

"I think a lot of players will take a lot of confidence from the fact that we are getting into those positions and causing teams a few troubles."