Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday to face Chelsea, with Xabi Alonso backing Michael Carrick before the Premier League meeting. United have won just one of their opening eight fixtures and sit 15 points adrift of the summit.
A 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth increased pressure on Carrick.
Alonso's view on Carrick
Alonso said: "I have great respect, I have big sympathy for Michael as a manager. I know him because we have played against each other, recently we played in a legends game, so we chatted a little bit."
Alonso also said: "He's a really good guy and you want to be around that, but apart from that, it's not for me to comment."
Media scrutiny around the dugouts
Alonso said: "It's no news. You know it once you take the job and you need to deal with tough moments, to overcome difficult moments."
Chelsea's preparation for United
Alonso said United's current situation does not change Chelsea's preparation. He said: "For me, it doesn't change. In any situation, we need to prepare the same way. We control what we can control."
Alonso said: "United have a good squad, they have good players, good manager, so it's going to be a tough game and we'll have to be on our top in a good version of us to win the game."
What Alonso wants from the game
Alonso said: "We need to have good control, good emotional control, be comfortable, be intense... The first goal, it's going to be important as well."
GOAL reported that Alonso demands a sharp reaction from his players following the home loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
