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Leicester players backing Claudio Ranieri, says Demarai Gray

Demarai Gray and Claudio Ranieri during a Leicester City training session
Image: Demarai Gray (left) with Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri

Leicester winger Demarai Gray insists the players are still behind boss Claudio Ranieri, despite their worrying run of defeats.

The champions' title defence is in tatters and they sit just a point above the Premier League relegation zone.

Sunday's 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United was their fourth straight top-flight loss without scoring and the Foxes are yet to find the back of the net in 2017 in the league.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel branded their season "embarrassing" following the game at the King Power Stadium, while reports have suggested there is unrest in the dressing room despite last year's title win.

"We're all together, we're all behind each other. We have to back each other in the changing room," said Gray.

"We'll stay together, get back on the training ground, work on what we need to and keep doing our best on the weekends."

Leicester go to fellow strugglers Swansea on Sunday with the hosts only below them on goal difference and with just two points separating the bottom six teams.

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One of the Foxes' five wins this term - although they are yet to triumph away - came against Swansea in August and Gray knows how vital the game at the Liberty Stadium will be.

"It's massive. The lads have already said we understand how big that game is," he added.

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Leicester 0-3 Manchester Utd

"We know we're a good team and it just hasn't worked for us yet. We haven't got going.

"We get a game plan, stick to the game plan and hopefully we get the points."

On Sunday, goals in the space of 88 seconds just before half-time from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic put United in control before Juan Mata added the third just after the break.

Claudio Ranieri, Leicester manager
Image: Ranieri cuts a frustrated figure on the touchline

Leicester, who host Midlands rivals Derby in an FA Cup fourth round replay on Wednesday, have won just twice in their last 14 league games and Gray admitted confidence is an issue.

"I think it's been a little bit of a problem with us this season," said Gray.

"Once we conceded it kind of knocks us back, but it is one of them ones where we have to take the defeat and just keep pushing on now."

Watch Swansea v Leicester, part of a Super Sunday double bill. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 3:30pm, after Burnley v Chelsea.

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