Comedian Karl Pilkington says supporting Manchester United is like having a “tortoise for a pet” because “they are not entertaining to watch.”

Pilkington, whose new show ‘Sick of It’ starts on Sky One this week, was pitting his wits against the BBC’s Mark Lawrenson to predict this weekend’s scores when he came out with the hilarious jibe.

“A bit of me now wishes I could change again, because City are good, aren’t they?” said the 46-year-old, who has supported United since a boy.

“Still, I feel like supporting United is like having a tortoise as a pet. I had a tortoise, and they are not entertaining to watch. You don’t watch them, but you know you have got a bit of responsibility to show some interest.

“That is what I do with United. I keep an eye on them.

“I don’t watch them every game because, at the minute, that is a waste of 90 minutes. I just look at the result and if they win it is a bonus, I have no expectations any more.”

United have had a poor start to the new season, having won only three of their six Premier League games so far and having been eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Derby County at the first hurdle.

And Pilkington expects that poor form to continue this weekend when the Red Devils take on West Ham, with the comedian backing the Hammers to hold United to a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

The ‘An Idiot Abroad’ star also predicted that Watford and Arsenal will draw 1-1, and that Liverpool will beat Chelsea 2-1.