- Paul Scholes has doubts over Michael Carrick
- Manchester United icon had a different stance over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- The former midfielder said the Norweigan ‘deserves a chance’
Paul Scholes has made it extremely clear he doesn’t feel Michael Carrick deserves the Manchester United job, but that wasn’t the stance he had over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The legendary former midfielder has caused a stir in recent months with several digs at his former teammate.
Carrick is in pole position to be offered United’s permanent head coach role. The club are “expected” to make an offer to him after achieving Champions League qualification.
The 44-year-old has widespread support from a large majority of the fanbase. But Scholes has constantly criticised his former colleague, and his latest disparaging comment came on The Overlap on Thursday (May 7th).
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Paul Scholes’ Hypocrisy Over Michael Carrick
Scholes said that all Carrick has “really done is play Kobbie Mainoo and play people in the right positions.” He pointed out issues in midfield and blamed the coach for not coaching Casemiro properly.
The Englishman’s comments throughout Carrick’s tenure thus far are interesting. While his former teammate hasn’t been faultless during his spell in the dugout, he’s overseen 10 wins and two defeats in 14 games.
Scholes had a completely different tone when assessing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer back in 2019. The Norweigan manager arrived as caretaker boss before eventually landing the job full-time.
United’s former midfielder defended Solskjaer after a 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. He told The Daily Mail in February 2019:
“I know people will start to question because now because he’s lost a game but that was PSG. That could happen to the most experienced manager in the world because PSG are a top team.”
Scholes added:
“I think for what he’s done so far he definitely deserves a chance. I always knew there was talent in that squad. I think everyone did. Ole has come in with a smile on his face, put his arm around the players – there so much talent in that team. He’s given them freedom and you’ve seen the results.”
Scholes continued by pointing out that Solskjaer knows United and the way the team should play:
“Ole knows United, he knows what is needed, the way fans want them to play, the way the people want them to play, the way staff want to play. Ultimately Sir Alex created all that and Ole will try and keep all that alive.”
Solskjaer took the permanent job a month later and lasted just under three years. He took United to the Europa League final but lost to Villarreal on penalties before he was sacked three months into the next season.
Why Doesn’t Carrick ‘Deserve a Chance’?
There have been similarities between Carrick and Solskjaer’s caretaker stints. Especially on the results side, with the latter also achieving an impressive record, which earned him the permanent job.
At the time of Scholes’ comments, Solskjaer had overseen 11 games and been unbeaten in all of them. He ended his interim spell with a record of 14 wins, two draws and three defeats in 19 games.
Carrick will reach 17 games under his current contract once the season concludes. His record is extremely similar to Solskjaer’s, but where Scholes’ hypocrisy comes into play is in his assessment of the opposition and performances.
While Solskjaer went unbeaten in 11 games, he came up against one title contender in Liverpool, drawing 0-0. He managed to beat Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur during this season.
Carrick has undoubtedly exceeded this with wins over title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. He’s also beaten Aston Villa, Chelsea and Liverpool.
There were also clear problems with Solskjaer’s United that were papered over. His side was focused on counterattacking, and that’s not to fault the iconic Norweigan, he knew how to get results.
That’s exactly what Carrick has done since arriving, prioritising wins over implementing his desired brand of football. Scholes insisted Solskjaer deserved a chance, but apparently Carrick doesn’t.
