Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has admitted he was wrong to back Michael Carrick for the permanent manager's job at Old Trafford, as the club endure their worst start to a season in 40 years.
Carrick, who took charge in January and guided United to third place in the Premier League and a return to the Champions League during an interim spell, has won just one of seven league games this season and was knocked out of the Carabao Cup.
Yorke's U-turn on Carrick
Speaking on the Keys & Gray Unleashed show, Yorke said: "Putting my hands up, I was one that said give Carrick the chance, but then I look back at it now, see what we're doing, and I'm not sure if that was the right decision."
He added: "These guys are brilliant guys when you meet them and you know them like I have done. They're brilliant. I'm not sure they're made for managerial jobs when the pressure is on. Like anything else, when the going is good then it's fantastic. When it's not so good, I'm not so sure. I've seen it with Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and I've seen it with Carrick."
Pressure mounts at Old Trafford
United have tried proven big names, up-and-coming talents and ex-players over the past decade, none of whom have worked out. Yorke noted that the club's tendency to sack managers has been "the trend for the last five years".
Antonio Conte has been linked with the job, but Yorke suggested Eddie Howe, who left Newcastle in the summer, would be a standout candidate. He said: "Who is out there? Howe would be one of those guys who stand out out there at the moment. He's not in a job, looking for a job. But if you expand it out there even more, who else is out there? There is nobody else and that's why Carrick will survive for a little bit longer. There are no top managerial candidates out there who can come in and really excite the people and the fans at Manchester United."
Yorke's comments come as Carrick faces mounting pressure to turn results around, with the club yet to find a consistent formula this season.
