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Wayne Rooney has issued a stark warning to his former team-mate Michael Carrick, indicating that the Manchester United manager is already under serious pressure after an underwhelming start to the season. The Red Devils icon feels the club’s hierarchy will not accept average results, even though the side were not given the defensive reinforcements they needed in the summer transfer window.

Pressure building at Old Trafford

Rooney is worried about Carrick’s future at United and said the former midfielder must produce results straight away instead of waiting for future transfer windows to fix the obvious weaknesses in the squad. United have made an uneven start to their Premier League campaign, collecting only four points from their first three matches while conceding six goals along the way.

Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney spoke openly about the intense demands that come with the role. "If you're manager of Manchester United you know the pressure which comes with the job and the time now you're not getting much time in the job," the former striker said.

"You have to push as hard as you can even harder to get players in because you know you don't want to be sitting here in six months, 12 months' time, saying 'You know what? I should have'.

"Do we want to win the Champions League? Of course we do. But in terms of this process we're going through to try and get back to that, we're going to have to accept we're not quite at that level yet. Arsenal have been through this process over the last five years with [Mikel] Arteta and you've seen the progress each year."

Transfer frustration and defensive concerns

The Manchester United great was especially critical of the club’s work in the summer market, where they failed to sign the defensive targets Carrick was reportedly keen on. Instead, United brought in three new midfielders and a reserve goalkeeper, which has left the defence looking exposed.

"I know Michael's come out and said he's happy with the players they've got in. I don't think any manager's happy," Rooney continued. "He's going to have to come out and say the right things. Of course… every manager does that. But he hasn't got time to wait for next year. He can't sit there and go 'Well, you know what? I'll wait till next year,' then I'll have my defence sorted. You're getting more and more American owners who want success straight away."

Fernandes left on his own

Rooney also spoke about the effect the lack of top-quality signings could have on club captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker has been the team’s talisman after breaking the Premier League assist record last season, but Rooney believes the club have not given him the support required to compete right at the top of the table.

"There is nothing in there which is saying to me now these players are going to take Man United to the next level," Rooney added. "I love Bruno. I think he's brilliant. He must be thinking 'Please bring me some help. I'm doing everything I can. Help me'. And I don't think the club have done that with the signings. You're not sitting there saying you've got these four players, we should be winning the Premier League."

A reality check for United supporters

In the end, Rooney feels there is a huge gap between the historic expectations of the Old Trafford fanbase and the actual level of the current squad. While the Manchester United name still carries enormous status in world football, what the team are showing on the pitch suggests they are still far from the standard needed to fight for the biggest trophies.

"We're Man United. We've won so many Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, whatever. The fans will still be thinking that's what we want. But, realistically, they're not there," Rooney concluded.