Jermain Defoe admits he's been surprised by Michael Carrick excelling at Manchester United given his former team-mate's personality. Carrick has made an impressive start at United, winning six out of seven matches and remaining unbeaten.

This impressive streak secured him the Premier League manager of the month award in January. Now, many supporters are clamouring for his permanent appointment when summer arrives.

Yet his former Tottenham and England colleague Defoe hadn't anticipated such an immediate transformation at United. The 43-year-old, who'll be featuring at Soccer Aid 2026 at the London Stadium, was taken aback by how brilliantly the side is functioning under someone he'd regarded as a quiet and reserved individual.

Defoe told the Manchester Evening News: "He's just a family man. He's just quiet and loved his football.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

"I have to be honest, obviously knowing Michael and how quiet he was, I wouldn't have looked at him and been like, you know what, you'd be like... I wouldn't say he wouldn't have been a manager, but you can't imagine him being a coach and really giving it to players."

• Ruben Amorim coach points finger after breaking silence on Man Utd frustration

• Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea and Aston Villa get mixed verdict in Champions League race

Despite this uncertainty, there is one aspect Defoe is certain Carrick possesses that strengthens his credentials at United. He added: "But I think what he has got is he's got a winning mentality, of course, because he's only ever been in elite environments.

"And obviously he got to move to Man United and done what he'd done there. And now that transition to then become a coach or a manager, it's never easy.

"But to see him go in and do what he's done for such a massive football club, and I know he's played there before and he's been involved, he's been assistant manager and all that sort of stuff, but still to go in and do what he's done, it's been amazing.

"And for me, it's just so nice to see it, because I know Michael, it's so nice to see it."

This strong mentality has evidently filtered through to the current United crop. Numerous players have remarked on the positive impact Carrick has had, with club captain Bruno Fernandes amongst those to have openly supported the manager.

He said: "I think Michael came in with the right ideas of giving the players the responsibility. He's very good with the words.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE!Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

"I think he still remembers what I told him the last time he was our manager for our last game. I was sure that Michael could be a great manager, and he's just showing it."

Harry Maguire recently praised Carrick's enduring ability on the training pitch. During an episode of Inside Carrington, the defender said: "He still does demos in passing drills and he still bangs it through the lines like he's still got it.

"He was doing the demos the other day, and I think he did two passes. Everyone did about 300. I think his two were the best I've seen out of them all. But no, he's still got it. And he's really hands-on in training."

Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31st May at the London Stadium. Adult tickets start from £20 and juniors from £10: socceraid.org.uk/tickets