Michael Carrick has brushed off suggestions that his job is under threat, insisting he does not need results ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League grudge match at Leeds this weekend.

United have endured a difficult opening to the season, winning just one of their opening six league games, and were beaten 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Lisandro Martinez’s explosive comments criticising the club’s hierarchy have dominated the build-up to Sunday’s game at Elland Road, but the pressure remains on the head coach to turn things around.

The Red Devils have suffered their worst start to a league campaign in 40 years, but Carrick is adamant his squad is behind him.

Under pressure: Michael Carrick

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“There's a lot of people saying a lot of things,” he said. “That doesn't mean you know what's going on here.

"The players totally believe me. Just because people talk on the outside doesn't make it the truth. I am telling you the truth.

"The squad today was in a fantastic place, better than I've seen it for a while, actually. It's as simple as that.

"That's it. We're living it every day. We know what it feels like. We're emotional, we're passionate, we care a lot. Sometimes someone says something that maybe you shouldn't say at a certain time, but that doesn't distract us from what we're creating here in the environment and the spirit within the group.”

Carrick’s future is not expected to hinge on whether his side can get a positive result against Leeds, but the former United midfielder is clear that any speculation around his job will not detract from the bigger picture.

Dejected: Bruno Fernandes

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"I don't need results, we all need results, it's not about me,” he continued.

“Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player, anyone else who works at this football club, it always has been.

“It's not about me. I don't go into every day at work in this situation, this game, thinking about me. It really is not about me and it's not about any individual player, it's about the football club.

"What we stand for, what we live for, the history, the things that we need to live up to and that's what drives us. So whatever is best for the football club and for the team on Sunday is the most important thing. It really is not about me."