Michael Carrick is under pressure at Manchester United with a brutal admission from Harry Redknapp not seeming to help his chances of staying in the role

Harry Redknapp has described Manchester United boss Michael Carrick as "too laid back" and revealed that he didn't see him becoming a manager. The 45-year-old, who was handed his senior debut in football by Redknapp, had a superb interim spell at Old Trafford earlier this year but has struggled for results since taking the permanent job.

The 2-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League earlier this week was the fifth consecutive match without a win for United. Carrick's only victories this season have been against Ipswich Town and Azerbaijan outfit Sabah.

Sunday's trip Elland Road to face local rivals Leeds United is therefore of huge importance with challenging fixtures against Como, Bournemouth and Chelsea following that. Carrick's first spell in management at Middlesbrough started well but ended badly and he was sacked after two-and-a-half years in charge.

It remains to be seen if he can come out the other side of a difficult spell with Redknapp's admission on his character and style suggesting he may struggle to do so.

He wrote in his column for The Sun: "I’ve known Michael since he was 12 years old at West Ham. I can’t say I always saw a manager in him.

"Michael’s always been a lovely guy from a lovely family, a really intelligent footballer who knew the game, read it, controlled matches. But he’s always been a quiet lad, too, laid-back. It’s what he is.

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"When United scored against Tottenham the other day, he wasn’t running up and down the touchline — the complete opposite to Roberto De Zerbi, kissing the ball and all that when they equalised.

"Results haven’t been great but I hope he turns it around and keeps the job because I love him. You can change Michael tomorrow and they are still not going to finish any higher than fifth or sixth this season. That’s how I see their team. They’re nowhere near good enough to challenge for a title.

"That’s what Michael is dealing with. And it would be the same for anyone else, whoever they bring in." The poor run of form and hostile clash awaiting United has already put significant pressure on Carrick with brutal comments from Lisandro Martinez aimed at Jason Wilcox only brightening the spotlight.

The Argentine criticised his inability to bring more players into the squad over the summer with injuries forcing Ayden Heaven to play out of position in the Spanish capital. Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have also been deployed up front in the absence of Benjamin Sesko.

In the wake of his public outburst, Martinez released two statements with the first of those clarifying his comments but not including an apology.

That was included in his second Instagram message, however, with the central defender also revealing he had met with Carrick and other club chiefs. He has been fined for his comments but it remains to be seen if he will keep his spot in the team.