'It's huge' - Michael Carrick has new Man United 'issue'
Michael Carrick has a new issue at Manchester United as frustrations have grown after a slow start, sources have told Football Insider.
The Red Devils have endured a mixed start to the Premier League season, with one win, one draw and one defeat from their opening three games leading to question marks.
While there is no immediate pressure on the manager's position, there is an expectation that there will be an upturn in results in the near future.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Carrick will face a new issue with United now playing in Europe rather than once per week.
During his interim spell at the club, Carrick was able to conentrate solely on the Premier League, but he will no longer be afforded that luxury.
Man United side kicked off their Champions League campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win against competition debutants Sabah, but will have tougher fixtures to come.
Could Michael Carrick be under pressure at Man United?
Former Man United coach Mick Brown told Football Insider on 8 September that Carrick should not be under any immediate pressure despite a poor start.
However, should the boss prove unable to put a consistent run of form together in the Premier League, that pressure no his position as manager is only set to ramp up.
With Man United set to be tasked with competing in all four competitions, it remains to be seen how Carrick will handle the shift from last season's routine schedule.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "When you manage a club like Manchester United, the expectations are huge and that's no different from Michael Carrick.
"The issue for Michael Carrick now is that he has to contend with more games this season. They've got Champions League football now.
"They're going to have to play twice a week, in midweek and then at the weekend as well which provides its own challenges for any team and the squad of players.
"He has to adapt to rotating his squad and keeping everybody fresh which wasn't something he had to contend with last season.
"When he came in, Man United were already knocked out of both cup competitions and they weren't in Europe, so they could focus on just playing one game per week.
"So it's something that might throw up a new challenge and maybe an issue for him, but it's a long season ahead."
What are Man United's ambitions for this season?
Man United have endured a slow start to the season to the frustration of some sections of the supporters, despite Carrick batting away suggestions of poor results.
A 4-0 win in the Champions League will calm any early nerves in the new season, with work now being put in place towards another successful campaign.
Brown warned Football Insider last month that Man United could have a slow start to the season after questions were asked over their difficult pre-season schedule.
However, their early-season results are not seen as a major concern, with the club set to give Carrick time to get his ideas across after changes in the transfer window.
After a third-place finish last time out, Man United are looking to replicate that success alongside lofty goals for the domestic cup competitions and Champions League.