Merse: Carrick is in trouble, it's a nightmare week for Man Utd

In his latest Sky Sports column, Paul Merson believes this is a big week for Michael Carrick as Manchester United head coach after a poor run of form.

United have failed to win five out of their last six games in all competitions - the latest being Saturday's 1-1 draw with 10-man Tottenham, who scored a late equaliser through Dominic Solanke.

Carrick's side now face a huge week with two tricky away trips to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night, then a trip to high-flying Leeds United who just lost their unbeaten record to reigning champions Arsenal on Saturday.

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Read below for the Magic Man's thoughts about a big week for Carrick and United...

'I haven't seen signs of improvement at Man Utd'

After Saturday's game, I'd more worried if you're a Man Utd fan. I've seen signs with Tottenham that things can improve, there's something there. I haven't seen any signs with Man Utd at the moment.

Now, Michael Carrick is in trouble over the next two games. I hope he doesn't get the sack, but he's in trouble.

It's a nightmare week for him. I couldn't think of two worse games - and I don't think they're going to win either of them.

Atletico Madrid, at their ground, it's a difficult game. They're hard to beat, a very difficult team to play against and beat. They don't let in a lot of goals.

Then you go to Leeds, who's one of Man Utd's champion enemies. This is a big, big, big football match. A big rivalry. And it's one of Leeds' biggest games.

And if you're a Leeds fan, after the weekend, you'd be shocked if Man Utd beat them at Elland Road. Every Leeds fan would be disappointed if they didn't get a result against Man Utd this weekend.

Now that's a big swing in football. How many times have we said that about Leeds vs Man utd games? And it tells you everything you need to know about Man Utd.

I've always said the same thing about Carrick. When they were playing well last season and he got them into the Champions League, everyone was saying: give him the job, give him the job.

But what I wanted to see was how he'd react when they go three or four games without a win.

It's alright when you're winning every week. You're all in, you're on a crest of a wave. Ask any manager, it's easy when you're rolling.

But how was Carrick going to handle the pressure? What was he going to do differently? We're seeing that now. It doesn't seem like he is coming up with the ideas to get out of it.

If he was like this last season, he wouldn't have got the United job permanently. But now he's got the contract.

United should have gone for Unai Emery. They should have done whatever they could to get someone like him. Someone with major experience, who has been around the block. This is a hard job.

Now, who else is going to come in? Eddie Howe is probably the man they'd go for. He's the only one about isn't he?

Antonio Conte could go in, he'd steady the ship. But I don't know if he wants to play entertaining football and set the world alight. I don't know what the Man Utd owners want.

'Spurs needed to get a proper centre forward in the summer;

Tottenham played well at Old Trafford. They dominated, but just don't look like scoring a goal at the moment.

They did great with 10 men to come back and finally get an equaliser which they deserved.

They only thing they probably could have done with - and what they should have done - is they had to get a centre forward.

They went out of their way for a few players, did a bit of this and that. I like Sandro Tonali, I'm a big fan of this. But they had to get a centre forward.

Dominic Solanke is better than alright. But he's not yet an actual goalscorer. When Spurs robbed United of the ball in the first half and he goes through on goal, you don't sit there and go: 'goal'. You just don't.

And Omar Marmoush isn't going to give you goals. He'll get you're a worldie here or there, but he's not a goalscorer. They needed a goalscorer. I can't believe Spurs didn't go for Nicolas Jackson. He's decent.

The problem with Spurs at the moment is that they're not scoring. There's never a wrong time to score - every time is the right time - but they're failing to find the net when they're on top.

They could go to Coventry on Monday Night Football, score an early goal and kick on to win 3-0 or 4-0. That could be the result that kick-starts their season."

But I've seen them plenty of times this season and they've played well - but only for 20 to 25 minutes. They need to turn that into 90.

But you have to say fair play to them for coming back at United when they're having the season they're having, they're down to ten men, dominated the game and gone 1-0 down.