Manchester United sit 13th in the Premier League with six games played, and manager Michael Carrick is already facing questions ahead of a trip to face Leeds United.
Carrick was given the keys to begin this season following an excellent end to the 2025/26 campaign. He excelled after taking over from Ruben Amorim and guided United to a third-place finish.
But so far this term, United have won just one of their first six top-flight matches, that being a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town. They've lost twice, to both Hull City and Manchester City, and their latest league outing was a disappointing 1-1 draw versus Tottenham, who had been reduced to 10 men. Draws against Everton and Fulham have left a lot to be desired.
Pogba says Carrick needs time
The manager is coming under a considerable amount of scrutiny for this start, but an ex-United midfielder thinks that Carrick simply needs to be given time.
Paul Pogba made a total of 233 appearances for United, scoring 39 goals across two spells with the club. He spoke to Sky Sports and had a clear opinion on the under-pressure Carrick.
"It's just the start of the season, there's nothing much to say, it's just the start of the season and the season is very long," Pogba said. "He showed last season when he came, everybody said he was the manager that will change everything."
"Now that the results don't come they say maybe he's too young. One day or the other it can change a lot, they just have to give them time and it will be fine."
Rooney on Fernandes' frustration
A current United star, captain Bruno Fernandes, has four goals and three assists to his name so far this season and is currently his side's top scorer. However, with results not going United's way, a club legend thinks he's growing impatient.
Wayne Rooney was asked about Fernandes on Stick to United and said: "He's fed up. I genuinely do think he looks, 'Oh, here we go again.' There are only so many times…"
"He has carried the team, but sometimes you need taking out of that position, of that role, to breathe again. I feel like now you can see it building up and there's going to be an explosion with him if this carries on."
"He's not scared to come out and voice his opinion. So there is going to be that explosion if this carries on the way it's going. For me, you need that three in midfield at the minute because they're getting outrun, they're getting outplayed."
"All of a sudden, then you've got [Kobbie] Mainoo and [Youri] Tielemans, who are not the quickest and not the most mobile, to cover the full width of the pitch as two midfield players, and they can't do it."
