Paul Scholes has hit out at several United managers (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
Paul Scholes’ latest comments about Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick follows a familiar pattern for the Old Trafford legend. Scholes made a point remark about his former colleague after United’s 2-1 loss at Newcastle on Wednesday night. Carrick has been outstanding since taking over from Ruben Amorim at the start of the year. The defeat in the north east marked his first setback since assuming the United caretaker role for the second occasion in his managerial career.
Whilst Scholes didn’t hold back in his assessment of the 44-year-old, Carrick is far from the only United boss to face a verbal battering from the former England midfielder. The TNT Sports analyst has previously laid into managers ranging from Jose Mourinho through to Ruben Amorim. Here, we examine what Scholes has previously said about various former United managers.
Michael Carrick
After the frustrating outcome against the Magpies, an exasperated Scholes targeted Carrick on social media. Via his Instagram story, he wrote: « Michael has definitely got something special about him…cos Utd have been c**p last four games…night. »
During their preceding four fixtures, United had collected 10 points from a possible 12, securing home victory against Crystal Palace and an away win at Everton. They also claimed a draw at West Ham and defeated Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Scholes subsequently revealed his admiration for Newcastle‘s midfielder Sandro Tonali, writing the Italian’s surname alongside a love heart emoji.
Ruben Amorim
In December 2025, mere weeks before Amorim’s dismissal, Scholes delivered a scathing assessment of the Portuguese boss. Speaking on his podcast with former team-mate Nicky Butt and Paddy McGuinness, The Good, the Bad and the Football, Scholes tore into Amorim and his tactical approach.
Ruben Amorim was sacked earlier this year (Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Scholes said: « I don’t think the manager gets the club, full stop. I just don’t think he’s the right man. Man United is about risk and entertainment, more than anything.
« Having fans on the edge of their seat f*****g ready to go. If you go to Sporting Lisbon and watch, they played three at the back. Right away, that’s a no.
« Man United never do that. They can’t do that. They just can’t, it’s been proven over years and years and years. I just don’t think he gets it. »
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Solskjaer departed his United managerial role in November 2021. While Scholes didn’t savage his former team-mate, he did acknowledge that Solskjaer lacked the credentials to elevate United towards securing football’s most prestigious silverware.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer left United in November 2021 (Image: PA)
« He probably couldn’t take us to that next level, » Scholes said following the Norwegian’s departure. « He got us to second in the Premier League, which isn’t bad. Numerous semi-finals.
« A final as well last year, but he just couldn’t make that final step. I have to say it’s difficult. You think of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Chelsea, there’s a lot of quality in this Premier League. Whoever comes now, it’s not going to be easy to get Manchester United to where they want to be. »
Erik ten Hag
Following a heavy defeat to Spurs in September 2024, Scholes publicly lambasted the Dutchman over a string of disjointed displays. Ten Hag was ultimately dismissed by United in October 2024.
« You don’t know how they’re going to play, » Scholes said on SuperSport. « You don’t know how they’re going to approach games, whether they are going to play on the counter-attack or sit deep or whether they’re going to try to have all the possession in the game.
Scholes believed Erik ten Hag’s time was up as United boss before he was sacked (Image: Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
« We’ve no idea. They look like an uncoached football team. The players looked dead today, they looked flat and they looked like they were thinking ‘I don’t know what to do’. There’s no enthusiasm for the game of football and that can only come from the training pitch. »
Ralf Rangnick
Rangnick took over from Solskjaer at the close of November 2021. Following his tenure as manager, it was agreed that the German would remain at the club in an advisory capacity for a further two years.
Rangnick ultimately left United for good at the conclusion of that campaign, having guided them to a sixth-place Premier League finish. Scholes was swift to pass judgement on the former RB Leipzig boss’s stint at Old Trafford, asserting that he failed to demonstrate the qualities of an elite-level coach.
« They’re either not taking the instructions on, or they don’t want to, » Scholes remarked regarding United’s players under Rangnick.
Ralf Rangnick opted not to stay at United in a consultancy role after being named Austria manager (Image: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
« It’s been a bad six or seven months, the season’s not been good enough. The sack for Ole was coming, we all knew that, we all felt that but where was the plan? You think there has to be a plan, they must be bringing in an elite top coach into the football club to revive the season.
« Man Utd, they should have the best of everything. And to not have a plan and bring, what is technically, a sporting director. I think he’s coached a team two years out of the last 10 years.
« Don’t get me wrong, I like the man, I think he comes across really well. His team, it just looks like he lacks experience in the last five or six years. His team, they’re a team of individuals. »
Jose Mourinho
The Portuguese icon assumed control at United in 2016 following numerous significant honours throughout his career. Despite securing the Europa League and League Cup in 2017, United were struggling under the former Chelsea manager merely 12 months later.
Jose Mourinho is now in charge of Benfica (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
His dismissal followed a disheartening loss to Liverpool in December 2018, with Scholes declaring the ex-Real Madrid boss was « embarrassing » the club.
« The team is very low on confidence, » Scholes stated in October 2018, whilst United floundered in both the Champions League and Premier League.
« We talk about them being dull, and we talk about the first 10 games of the season, but you’re going into last season as well. The last year has been dull to watch. I don’t know how many times we’ve sat in this studio watching games and we end up watching the other screens, looking at the other games, trying to find some goals.
« He’s coming out in press conferences, he’s constantly having a go at players, he’s having a go at people above him because he’s not getting what he wants and I think his mouth is probably out of control and I think he’s embarrassing the club. »
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Source link
