Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick tasted defeat for the first time this campaign earlier this week. And Red Devils great Paul Scholes has jumped at the opportunity to take a swipe at his former teammate, sarcastically slamming his coaching methods.
Fans Unhappy After Paul Scholes’ Snide Remarks
Earlier on Wednesday, Mar. 4, Manchester United crashed to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Newcastle United. Anthony Gordon scored the opener for the hosts from the penalty spot in the 45th minute before Casemiro equalized for the Red Devils three minutes later. However, Magpies ace William Osula netted the winner in the 90th minute with a left-footed shot.
After the end of the Premier League game at St. James’ Park, Scholes hit out at Carrick for failing to help his team produce exhilarating performances in their last four games.
“Michael has definitely got something special about him… (because United) have been crap (in) last (four) games… night,” Scholes wrote on his Instagram story. The 51-year-old also wrote Sandro Tonali’s name with a heart emoji on his now-deleted Instagram story.
Following the 11-time Premier League winner’s remarks, fans and pundits defended Carrick for his recent work as Manchester United’s head coach while criticizing Scholes.
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One Red Devils pdcaster expressed his disappointment with a club legend taking a dig at the head coach. He remarked on X, “I’ve never bought the idea that our ex-players took any sort of pleasure from us losing for any reason, but this is pushing it.”
Cain Smith of UtdDistrict criticized Scholes for launching a public attack on Carrick. “Scholes being a weirdo with (Lisandro) Martínez was annoying but calling out your midfield partner that you won titles with after one loss is another level,” he wrote on X.
One Red Devils supporter and writer pointed out how Scholes was apparently unprofessional in one of his previous coaching jobs, posting on X, “I really hope (Manchester United) qualify for the (UEFA Champions League), just for people like Paul Scholes – who left his Oldham Athletic job via WhatsApp text message (after one win in seven games in 2019) – to shut up.”
I really hope Man Utd qualify for the UCL, just for people like Paul Scholes — who left his Oldham Athletic job via WhatsApp text message — to shut up.
In March 2019, Scholes resigned as the manager of Oldham Athletic after 31 days. He didn’t speak to anyone on the board before…
— Rilwan Balogun (@Real1_balogun) March 5, 2026
Henry Winter, a renowned English journalist, also pitched in, writing on X, “It’s Carrick, you know. I can’t believe the chippiness from Scholes. It’s Carrick who’s helping out the club he loves, stepping into the breach after (Ruben) Amorim’s meltdown (in January).”
“You can question Carrick’s subs against 10 men. You can’t question Carrick’s commitment. Carrick’s not perfect but at least he’s chipping in, not being chippy,” Winter added.
It’s Carrick, you know. Can’t believe the chippiness from Scholes. It’s Carrick who’s helping out the club he loves, stepping into the breach after Amorim’s meltdown. You can question Carrick’s subs against 10 men. Amad could have been earlier. Heaven can play left-back -…
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 5, 2026
Carrick, who played alongside Scholes 159 times at United between 2006 and 2013, is next set to be in the dugout on Sunday, Mar. 15. He will be hoping to bounce back with a league win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford to consolidate their third spot in the table.
So far this campaign, Carrick has overseen six wins in eight games in charge of his side.
