Roy Keane has likened under-fire Manchester United manager Michael Carrick to a “politician”, claiming that he “talks a lot but doesn’t say much”.

Man Utd head into the November international break sat in the Premier League relegation zone despite twice recovering from a two-goal deficit to record a dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Given a reprieve ahead of the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea the weekend prior, Carrick oversaw a first win in 10 games across all competitions last Tuesday, when his struggling side came from 2-0 down to defeat depleted Roma 3-2 in the Champions League.

But despite the two comebacks at Old Trafford, Carrick’s job remains firmly in question - with Keane doubting his ability to turn things around.

Already out of the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle and sitting on just one win in the Premier League, Keane believes that Carrick is running out of time to find improvements.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “It’s obviously difficult for the manager. Under pressure, no doubt. He talks a lot but doesn’t say much. I don’t know if that’s a tactic. Like a politician.

“He keeps saying we need to tighten up and there’s things we need to work on.

Roy Keane insists Michael Carrick has to hurry up in making improvements at Manchester United

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“But they better get moving on that. It’s the worst start in how many years, all these stats aren’t very good. If you keep giving up goals and chances, it’s just going to continue.

“What are we expecting to change over the next few weeks and months? What are they working on? They need to do a lot better than that.”

Following United’s 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth last month, fans directed their boos towards the players, owners and directors, while showing their support for Carrick.

In recent weeks many supporters have questioned the players’ desire, but Keane believes the latest performances show the squad’s resolve.

He said: “I think we’ve said previously there have been question marks over this team but they’re showing a bit of fight, a bit of desire and, as bad as the game was from a footballing point of view, they kept going to the end.

“So, on the one hand, you say dreadful to give up four goals at home, but they kept going, so we have to give them a little bit of praise.

“In terms of the bigger picture, it’s that rollercoaster of watching United. Some bits were so, so bad.

“Defensively the way it started, the start of the second half, but they found a way to get a point in a game where they looked dead and buried.

“Still nowhere near good enough to try and get towards the middle of the table.”