Michael Carrick Middlesbrough sack decision made amid job pressure on Manchester United hero

The former Man United midfielder - and coach - has come under pressure for recent EFL Championship results.

Manchester United icon Michael Carrick is not expected to leave Middlesbrough this week - despite being under increased pressure on Teesside.

Boro are without a win in their last four Championship games but, despite their form, they are just four points off the play-off places - and have a game in hand. However, after just three wins in 15 games, they sit 11th in the table.

After Saturday afternoon's 1-0 defeat to Watford, there had been some claims that owner Steve Gibson could call time on Carrick's 26-month reign at the Riverside. But our colleagues at TeessideLive have confirmed that won't be happening.

Gibson is believed to be a huge fan of the former United midfielder and having previously turned around difficult runs of form in the past, the belief is still there. Carrick was handed a new three-year deal by the club before the start of the current season, while he was also backed by Gibson during January's transfer window as they push to return to the Premier League.

Although the campaign hasn't so far gone the way it was planned to, there is still belief from their board that the season can be rescued. This time last year, Boro were in a similar situation and looked like they would be dragged into a relegation battle.

However, they went on to grab an eighth-place finish, narrowly missing out on the play-off positions. Nonetheless, it's been confirmed that Carrick will be in charge on Friday evening - when Boro take on Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Carrick, meanwhile, has plenty of belief in his players heading into a crucial part of the season. "I think the players believe they can get out of this - because I don't think they'd play like they did in the second half if they don't," he said on Saturday evening.

"In terms of confidence, these stages can really affect you mentally and you can get bogged down. You've got to get your head above them clouds to see that bit clearer. We're capable, and that goes back to where we get the belief from. We know what we can do. Sport, unfortunately, is not an exact science, and these things can happen.

"But I believe in those players and that, ultimately, drives me on to fight for a way out of the moment we're in at the moment."