Manchester United pre-match huddle was show of support for Jose Mourinho, says Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini claimed the squad fully supports Mourinho and is working to turn results around

Marouane Fellaini has said that Manchester United's huddle before their goalless Champions League draw with Valencia on Tuesday night was intended as a show of support for under-fire manager Jose Mourinho.

Following Saturday’s dismal defeat away to West Ham and ahead of Tuesday’s Group H clash at Old Trafford, Mourinho claimed that some of his players care more about turning United’s fortunes around than others.

The United manager has criticised the attitude of his players on several occasions recently but, speaking after the 0-0 draw with Valencia, Fellaini echoed his captain Antonio Valencia in claiming that the squad fully supports Mourinho.

The Belgian also said that a pre-match huddle involving all United’s starting players was done in order to show that they are determined to improve on their recent poor form.

“Everyone is going in the same direction to try to improve and to do better. I think we wanted to show that we are together,” he said regarding the huddle.

When asked whose idea it was to show a united front, Fellaini said: “Everybody. I think everybody is behind the manager. We have to do our best and do our job. We showed it today but we have to do better on Saturday.

“I think it was a bad day against West Ham. We were all bad. Today I think we showed improvement and we have to keep going,” he added. “The spirit is there. You saw it today but we have to win on Saturday.”

Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United, who are yet to win a game this season, visit Old Trafford at the weekend. Fellaini believes United can build on the slight improvement seen against Valencia and end their own four-game winless run.

“It was much better than West Ham. We put energy, effort, we run forward, we try to score the goal. OK we didn’t tonight but we have to keep going,” he said of Tuesday’s performance.

“We have to continue to work hard. We have the next game Saturday and we play every three days so it another chance to do better. We have to work hard and try to win on Saturday.”