Paul Scholes has explained a controversial social media post about former Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick following a 2-1 loss to Newcastle United. The club’s former midfielder reacted after the defeat at St James’ Park on Wednesday (March 4th).
Carrick tasted his first defeat as Red Devils head coach, and the team’s performance was heavily criticised. Scholes sent out a bizarre post on his Instagram story that seemed to mock his former midfield partner’s setback:
“Michael has definitely got something special about him… cos Utd have been crap last 4 games… night (kiss emoji).”
Scholes received huge backlash for the post, with many members of the media and even United legends calling him out. Patrice Evra ridiculed the Englishman by highlighting his failure as a manager at Oldham Athletic.
READ: Manchester United pundits including Scholes and Neville (Ranked)
Scholes must be tone deaf
Scholes has now commented on the uproar that has ensued in the wake of his social media post. He claims there was no malicious intent behind it and that he’d spoken to Carrick.
The 11-time Premier League champion said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast:
“It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael. Michael is one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in football.”
Scholes added:
“And I don’t think I needed to say that. And he told me himself he wasn’t upset by it. I think people have just taken it differently from what was meant. The only thing I was saying was that I don’t think they played that well the last four games, and he’s still managing to get results.”
Scholes’ post came after a defeat to Newcastle, which ended Carrick’s seven-game unbeaten run. The timing was strange, given the negative feelings that came with the loss.
The footballer-turned-pundit further explained:
“We had the greatest manager in the world, and he always said, sometimes you need a bit of luck. So we’ve sent him off, some different things that happen through the games. Sometimes you do need a bit of luck. That’s all I was saying.”
Manchester United fans have endured a difficult period in the club’s history. Ruben Amorim’s tumultuous reign ended on a sour note, and there is still a divide in the fanbase over his sacking.
Carrick has done exceptionally well to bring a more positive atmosphere to Old Trafford. When club legends issue statements that can be interpreted in several ways, it creates commotion and animosity.
Scholes concluded:
“I was not saying he’s just a lucky manager. I was saying he’s a fairly talented manager because he’s getting results with a team that, for the last four games since the West Ham game, I didn’t think was playing very well. That’s all.”
Calculated Keane
Scholes isn’t the only United legend accused of having an agenda against Carrick. Roy Keane was quick to rule the Englishman out of contention for the permanent head coach role.
Keane’s issues with Carrick stem from an incident involving the former Red Devils captain and the latter’s wife. While the Irishman is usually scathing in his assessment of the club, fans could feel his comments came from deep-rooted problems.
Carrick and Scholes formed one of the best midfield partnerships in United’s history during Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary reign. Some are stunned by the lack of support from his former colleague.
The same goes for Gary Neville, who has been less enthusiastic about Carrick’s coaching credentials than he was about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in 2019. Fans are trying to get optimistic about the run-in, but constant pessimism, fueled by those who have represented the club, is doing nobody any favours.
