Manchester United have won just one of their three Premier League games so far this season - after a brilliant start to life in the dugout for Michael Carrick

Jamie Carragher believes Michael Carrick will always be just a few bad results away from his Manchester United future being in question.

Carrick was appointed as caretaker back in January, following the sacking of Ruben Amorim. And the former midfielder had an immediate impact taking United from seventh place into the top three and back into the Champions League.

Despite only being hired as an interim, Old Trafford bosses postponed their search for a new manager, instead giving the reins to Carrick permanently.

However, his first full season in charge has got off to an underwhelming start with United winning just one of their first three games in the league. That also included an opening-day defeat to Hull City, which immediately led to questions about Carrick’s suitability for the job.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook page

And Liverpool legend Carragher believes that’s an issue that will continue to haunt Carrick, with some believing he is still a glorified caretaker, waiting for a bigger name to replace him.

He told the Telegraph: "My sense is that while United fans generally understand and agree with the decision to stick with Carrick, they hope he is the long-term answer to get the club back to winning the Premier League or Champions League, while the rest of the world doubts it.

“To most, it feels like Carrick remains an interim solution in all but name, entrusted with the keys to Old Trafford until a super coach can move in during the summer of 2027. Carrick will not see it that way, of course, but there are certain perceptions which will be tough to shake off.”

In 20 Premier League matches in the dugout, Carrick has an impressive 13 wins and just three defeats, picking up 43 points from a possible 60. But Carragher says that like ex-England boss Gareth Southgate, his CV will always be used against him.

He added: “To be blunt, Carrick faces an issue which haunted Gareth Southgate during his stint as England manager. He is a bad result or coaching decision away from that thorny question: does someone who was sacked by Middlesbrough truly deserve one of the biggest jobs in football?”

Carrick’s United face Manchester City on Sunday, as he looks to repeat one of the statement results in his tenure so far. And they go into that on the back of a dominant win in their Champions League opener.

United were 3-0 to the good against minnows Sabah, allowing the manager to take off Youri Tielemans at the break and Kobbie Mainoo at the hour mark. He also rested Luke Shaw in a bid to make sure he is fit and firing for the first derby of the season.