Chris Smalling says Manchester United players are fighting for their own futures as well as Louis van Gaal's

The defender also said that the club's recent poor form has not changed their manager

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling

Chris Smalling has said that Manchester United’s players are fighting for their own futures and not just that of manager Louis van Gaal.

The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager is facing an uncertain future at Old Trafford after failing to win in eight games across all competitions.

Some supporters have accused United’s players of failing to ‘play’ for Van Gaal, by not showing the endeavour required to lift the club out of its current malaise.

Smalling, however, has denied such claims and pointed to the team’s improved display against Chelsea on Monday as evidence of their willingness to improve.

The England international defender also argued that the players know they must work to recover from their recent poor form or they, as well as their manager, may exit the club.

"That's silly to say we're not playing for him," said Smalling. "If anything, we're all playing for our own futures as well, so it's not a case of anyone not playing for the manager.

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

"We've rolled our sleeves up, worked hard on the training field and made sure that we regrouped, especially after that loss against Stoke," said the defender.

"We stood up against Chelsea and showed that we were the better team, albeit we didn't get the win."Smalling also refuted claims that Van Gaal was emotionally affected by Boxing Day’s lifeless showing against Stoke City.

Following the 2-0 defeat, the Dutchman reminded members of the press that he could walk out of the club before any decision to sack him was made, which led many to believe that the meeting with Chelsea could be his final match as manager of the club.

However, Smalling does not believe his manager was on the verge of resignation and said he saw no change in his mood, despite the poor results of late.

"He has been himself from day one when we first met him to how he is now," he said.

"He's not going to change and that's why he has had a lot of success throughout the years. I can't ever see him changing because he's got a proven track record."