Pressure dey mount on Manchester United manager Michael Carrick after im side poor start to di season. United don win just one of dia opening six Premier League games, and dat one win no enough to stop di talk.
Di Red Devils sit 13th for table with six points. Di form don change from di run wey make Old Trafford hierarchy give Carrick permanent contract in summer and extend am later.
Former United teammate Antonio Valencia still believe say Carrick go succeed. Valencia talk to AS say na incredible leader Carrick be when dem dey together. He read game well and control am. After training, Carrick go change clothes go coaching course. Even then, you fit see wetin he want become.
Valencia also tok say Carrick always calm and relaxed. When he wan communicate something, he dey do am with great respect. He never be di kind player wey dey study and already tink say na coach. He dey talk to you with respect and he intelligent for everything he talk and explain.
Valencia, now 41, spend ten years for United after he join from Wigan Athletic in 2009. He win three Premier League titles for di club. He retire in 2021 and don talk before say he go open to return. He say yes, he go go back. Manchester United na club wey give am so much. Im family happy there. He go work for United in any role out of passion. If dem call am, he go run come.
Michael Owen also back Carrick to turn things around one transfer window at a time. United don make poor start, win once in opening six games. Dem lead against ten-man Spurs but Dominic Solanke score for injury time to force draw. Dat result leave Carrick side 13th with six points and put pressure on manager after summer midfield spend.
Almost 180 million euros go on Carlos Baleba from Brighton, Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Baleba make im debut as substitute against Spurs after he arrive with injury. Owen, wey play with Carrick between 2009 and 2012, still believe say na him be right man for di job. He say United attack better than e don be for decade, midfield stronger than e don be for decade. He tink dem need fix defence next. He no dey all doom and gloom but enthusiasm don taint by di start.
Carrick guide United back to Champions League with third place last season, and dat earn am contract until summer 2028. Optimism high around Old Trafford before new campaign. But season start bad: defeat to newly promoted Hull City, then 5-2 win at home to Ipswich Town, point against Everton, home defeat to Manchester City, draws against Fulham and Spurs. Owen say Carrick did well last season, but poor start kill everybody enthusiasm and dat na where pressure dey come from. He still tink make dem give Carrick plenty time. He note say United don try many managers and chopping and changing no work.
Valencia also tok say United need two or three more signings to do better. He want another midfielder, and he mention Moises Caicedo from Chelsea as player he go bring. He also want centre-back and full-back. Valencia hope say co-owners INEOS give Carrick time. TeamTalk report say United plan to stick with Carrick, and Fabrizio Romano say players dey behind am. Italian media link Antonio Conte as potential replacement, and e willing to take charge. Valencia no see United challenging for Premier League title this season. He say e difficult this year. He carry Manchester for im heart because of affection fans show am. He live there for 14 years, he feel wetin fans feel, and he sorry for dem, but dem must realistic. Some teams start well, and he see United far from fighting for title. We go see for other years.
United dey back in action midweek as dem take on Atletico Madrid for Champions League before Premier League showdown at Elland Road.
