Last night, Paul Scholes criticized his former teammate Michael Carrick, describing Manchester United’s performance under Carrick’s guidance as “c**p” following their first loss in eight matches.

Manchester United faced a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle, with William Osula scoring a spectacular goal in the 90th minute at St James’ Park, a venue where Carrick spent his childhood watching football.

This loss positions United third in the Premier League standings, but their lead over sixth-placed Liverpool has shrunk to just three points, especially after Chelsea’s decisive 4-1 victory over Aston Villa.

Scholes added a playful touch to his commentary with a kissing face emoji, then mentioned Newcastle’s star player, Tonali, accompanied by a heart emoji.

Prior to this setback, United had been eking out narrow victories, having drawn against struggling West Ham and securing close wins over Everton and Crystal Palace.

Paul Scholes branded Manchester United ‘c**p’ after their 2-1 loss away at Newcastle (pictured with Michael Carrick in 2013)

He has previously insisted that Carrick should not get the permanent job this summer

Scholes’ biting remarks come as a surprise, given that Carrick has been largely credited with breathing new life into the team.

United were under fire practically every week under his predecessor Ruben Amorim, who lasted just 14 months in the job and won only 38 per cent of his games in all competitions. His record in the Premier League was even worse.

By contrast, Carrick has won six of his eight games in charge, instilled the squad wth belief, reintegrated Kobbie Mainoo, breathed life into Benjamin Sesko, and has them on course to qualify for the Champions League.  

But Scholes, who won Premier League titles alongside Carrick at Old Trafford, has recently insisted that his former team-mate should not be given the managerial job permanently.

‘The perfect one out there – I say perfect – Ancelotti is still out there,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football Podcast. ‘I know he is coach of Brazil… he is the perfect one for Manchester United where you think he will make players feel a million dollars.

‘And he has the experience of winning stuff. But the question is, is he too old now? That’s the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader.’ 

Carrick has previous experience as a head coach, leading Championship side Middlesbrough between 2022 and 2025 before stepping into his role at Old Trafford.

But Scholes, who played alongside Carrick 160 times for both United and England, doubts his former team-mate’s experience in terms of winning trophies for the club.

Carrick has won six of his eight games in charge of Man United, drawing one and losing one

‘The question is, has Michael got the experience?’ Scholes continued. ‘I know it’s a big question, I know he has managed in the Championship, but this is different.

‘Can we see Michael winning the Premier League? I don’t know yet, and I think the biggest thing is, what type of manager will they look for? A tactician or a man manager who looks after people?

‘Ole Gunnar (Solskjaer) was that. But all the people who are man managers, they always have a brilliant coach next to them, which Michael has got (Steve Holland).

‘The club have to decide, do they want a master tactician, which has failed… Ole Gunnar had the man management skills, but did he have the experience to go on and win a trophy? The same questions will be asked of Michael.’

The likes of Roy Keane and Gary Neville have also contended that United should pursue other options rather than hand Carrick the keys full time. 

But in response to the posse of United legends constantly spouting their opinions on the club, and particularly Keane, Carrick said in January: ‘It didn’t bother me.

‘They’re not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much. It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on.

‘I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players. There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world.

‘I’m not going to pay too much attention to that. For me, the players and staff it’s a focus on how we’re going to succeed.’