Manchester United: Paul Scholes did not intend to offend Michael Carrick

Paul Scholes has said his Instagram post about Manchester United interim head coach Michael Carrick was “in no way intended to be offensive” towards his former teammate.

Following United’s 2-1 Premier League defeat to Newcastle United last Wednesday – their first defeat under Carrick – Scholes wrote: “Michael certainly has something special about him… [expletive] “Last four games.”

Scholes, who played in United’s midfield alongside Carrick for seven years, was criticized for comments made by former teammate Patrice Evra, in which he said, “I hope he was hacked.”

The 51-year-old explained his post on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast alongside former Reds players Wes Brown and Nicky Butt on Monday, saying he had spoken to Carrick about the issue.

“He did not intend to be aggressive towards Michael in any way,” the former England international said.

“Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football, he would be the last person I would want to offend.

“I texted Michael anyway. I went straight to Michael and said, ‘Look, I never meant to upset you.’ I don’t think I needed to say that anyway, and he told me he wasn’t bothered by it.”

Carrick took over following the sacking of Ruben Amorim and is unbeaten in his first seven games, but United’s latest performances have not matched those in wins over Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham at the helm.

They are currently third in the league and well placed to qualify for the Champions League.

“I think people understand it in a different way than they mean it,” Scholes added.

“The only thing I said was that I thought they hadn’t played that well in the last four games and he still managed to get results.

“We had the best manager in the world and he always said sometimes you need a bit of luck. So, with sending offs and different things that happen in games, sometimes you need a bit of luck, that’s what I was saying.”

Brown added: “I can see it both ways. When Scholesy explained it to me, it made complete sense. But I read it as if he was attacking her.”

Scholes replied: “What Wes said, and I haven’t heard this before, I was just saying he’s a lucky manager. I wasn’t saying that, I was saying he’s a very talented manager because he’s getting results since the West Ham game with a team that I don’t think has played very well in the last four games, that’s all.”

Earlier this year United defender Lisandro Martinez responded to Butt and Scholes’ comments.