Antonio Valencia has urged Manchester United fans to be ‘realistic’ with their expectations as pressure grows on Michael Carrck to turn things around.
Manchester United are enduring their worst start to a season for 40 years after Saturday’s draw with Tottenham.
They have picked up just six points from four games to date, leaving them 13th in the table. They’ve also won just one league game so far, a 5-2 victory over Ipswich Town.
There has also been disappointment in the cup competitions, with a 3-2 loss to Brighton in the EFL Cup third round last month only adding to the pressure building on Michael Carrick.
Valencia, though, believes that Manchester United fans need to be realistic about their expectations for the season.
“I find it quite unlikely for this year,” he told AS when asked if United will be title contenders.
“To be honest, Manchester holds a special place in my heart because of the affection the fans always showed me. I spent 14 years there… I share their feelings and I really feel for the supporters, but we have to be realistic.
“There are teams that have started the Premier League season strongly, and I see this United side as being quite far off from challenging for the title. We’ll see what happens in future years.”
Carrick the manager
Pressure is growing on Carrick after the disappointing start to the season. Big names like Antonio Conte have already been linked with the position.
The main concern at this moment in time is Carrick’s relative lack of experience, having only managed Middlesbrough previously.
He enjoyed a winning run to end last season but has so far been unable to replicate that this season.
Valencia knows him well, though, and is convinced of his ability, having watched him learn to be a coach during his playing career.
“When I had the chance to be around him, I saw him as a positive leader, a man who read the game well and controlled the play. Afterward, when training finished, he’d change clothes and go off to take his coaching courses,” he added.
Always wanted manager’s job
The former defender is also adamant that Carrick has always wanted to be in the dugout.
That was recently brought into question by former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt. He insisted that Carrick had reservations about returning to management at all before returning to Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, he revealed: “I was with Michael before he got the United job and (was) speaking to him about management.
“He went, ‘No, it’s not for me. It’s too much and my head’s all over the shop. I’ll only do it for the big job and the big job is United.'”
But that does not match up with Valencia’s experience from their playing days together.
“You could already see back then what he wanted to be,” the Ecuadorian insisteed.
“He loved this side of the game, and he’s proven he has the ability to manage Manchester United. Honestly, I hope he’s very successful and does really well.
“He always had a super calm, very relaxed temperament. When he wanted to communicate something, he always did so with great respect. He was never the type of player who acts like a coach while still studying the game. He spoke to you respectfully and was very intelligent in everything he said and explained.”
The same person
He also cannot see any difference between the player that he played alongside and the man currently leading Manchester United.
“Yes, honestly, it’s the same,” he concluded.
“I’ve had the chance to go see him at three matches in Manchester, after following him on TV, and he hasn’t changed his personality. He remains a calm, intelligent person who knows how to lead his players.
“You can also see when he gives press conferences that he is very calm; he doesn’t get rattled. He hasn’t changed at all since his playing days.”
