Roy Keane has compared Manchester United manager Michael Carrick to a "politician," saying the under-pressure boss "talks a lot but doesn't say much."
United head into the November international break in the Premier League relegation zone despite twice coming back from a two-goal deficit to draw 4-4 with Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Carrick's Job Under Scrutiny
Carrick oversaw a first win in 10 games across all competitions last Tuesday, when his side came from 2-0 down to beat Roma 3-2 in the Champions League, having been given a reprieve ahead of the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea the previous weekend.
Despite the two comebacks at Old Trafford, Carrick's position remains in doubt, with Keane questioning his ability to turn things around.
Keane's Warning
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane 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. 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," Keane added.
"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."
Mixed Signals from Fans and Players
Following United's 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth last month, fans booed the players, owners and directors while showing support for Carrick. In recent weeks, many supporters have questioned the players' desire, but Keane believes recent performances show the squad's resolve.
"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," he said.
"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."
