Man Utd veering towards crisis as Man City cloud hangs over Premier League

Manchester United's poor start to the Premier League season has sparked concerns of a crisis within the club.

The full report

Manchester United will face Leeds in their next match as pressure mounts on manager Michael Carrick. The team is off to their worst league start in 40 years, having won just one of their opening six league games.

The Red Devils were plunged further into chaos by defender Lisandro Martinez's attack on the club's hierarchy over a lack of investment after their 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid. Martinez took aim at Technical Director Jason Wilcox, stating that the club added only three midfielders during the transfer window.

However, Martinez himself has been one of those most culpable for a miserable start to the campaign, with his part in goals conceded to Fulham and Tottenham in recent weeks. United were also dumped out of the League Cup last month by Brighton.

Leeds last beat the Red Devils at Elland Road in 2002, but did inflict the only home defeat of Carrick's interim spell in charge last season when the sides met in April. Carrick is increasingly at risk of becoming the latest manager unable to turn around a sharp decline at Old Trafford since Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.

Despite the hostile atmosphere that will await his side, Carrick remains optimistic, stating that the game against Leeds presents the perfect chance to bounce back. Martinez has since apologised for his comments.

The uncertainty surrounding Manchester City's future, including the possibility of severe sanctions for breaking the Premier League's financial rules, has also added to the pressure on United. Brighton could be one of the big winners should City suffer severe sanctions, as they are riding high, just two points behind second-placed Arsenal.