Peter Schmeichel has criticised Manchester United for their "disrespectful" treatment of Michael Carrick as the club continue to be linked with Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino is the leading candidate to replace Carrick as head coach and the club have opened talks with the 54-year-old's representatives, sources also told ESPN.

But former United goalkeeper Schmeichel believes the problems at the club stem from above Carrick, and that the under-pressure boss should get the chance to bring in his own players when the January transfer window opens.

"I absolutely do feel sympathy for him. I think the way this is playing out is very disrespectful to him," Schmeichel told 'The Overlap Daily.'

"If I'm honest, I don't think he's doing anything wrong. I know the team that he's in charge of is where they are in the table, but I don't put all of that on him.

"There are so many things that have been going on at Manchester United literally since Sir Alex [Ferguson] and David Gill left the club. And it's never been corrected.

"It's not been the correct people, not the right people in charge, and slowly it's just gone worse.

"And if you think about this transfer window now, it's abundantly clear to everyone -- everyone who knows just a little bit about football -- that Manchester United needed defenders.

"They got through a whole transfer window without signing a single defender. You can't win games if you concede 30 goals in 10 games ... that was not addressed.

"So yes, I do feel a lot of sympathy for Michael. I think what is happening is wrong. I think we should stick with Michael.

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"I think we should just try and steady the ship a little bit and then get into January and then sign the players that he feels he needs to bring the team forward and then be realistic about what this season is all about ..."

Pochettino enjoyed great success at Tottenham, leading them to the 2019 Champions League final.

One of his star players there, England captain Harry Kane, paid tribute to his former coach on Wednesday.

"Me and Mauricio obviously have a fantastic relationship," he said. "I mentioned him as one of the coaches who had a big impact on my career and definitely my development at that stage in my career.

"I needed his guidance. The way he pushed me, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well was really, really helpful.

"Obviously a fantastic coach, he's managed the biggest clubs in the world. From my point of view, I can't speak highly enough of him. We'll have to wait and see what happens but I know he's a great guy and also a fantastic manager."

Information from PA contributed to this report.