Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has insisted that he remains as passionate as ever to guide the club to glory after seeing his future called into question.
The Portuguese took offence at "garbage" reports in the British press that suggested that he wants out of Old Trafford, possibly even before his three-year deal expires in 2019.
Mourinho has stressed that he is determined to win more silverware with United, however, having picked up the EFL Cup and Europa League - as well as the Community Shield - in his first campaign at the helm last time out.
"Speaking about my work and connecting my work to the garbage news is to say the worst thing that anyone can do to myself," he told reporters. "It's not to say that I am a bad manager, it's not so say that I'm under-performing, it's not to say that I made a mistake in this game or that game.
"I think the worst thing somebody can do to me is to put one inch of doubt in my professionalism, in my dedication to my club, to my job, to my players, to every detail related to my job.
"Because I don't behave as a clown on the touchline it means that I lost my passion? I prefer to behave the way I am doing it, much more mature, better for my team and myself, I don't think you have to behave like a crazy guy on the touchline to have that passion.
"That passion, you see it every day. The way a person is dedicated to his work, not what you do in front of the cameras."
United, who have endured a testing run over the festive and New Year period, return to action on Friday night with an FA Cup third-round tie against Derby County.