Paul Scholes has pinpointed the importance of the November 2026 period if Michael Carrick were permanently appointed as Manchester United manager this summer.
The 51-year-old Manchester United legend sat down with former teammate Nicky Butt for the latest episode of their The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
During their show together, Paul Scholes admitted that there could be a real possibility that Michael Carrick becomes the next permanent United manager.
However, the former United and England midfielder revealed that a huge turning point for Carrick would be during his initial ‘honeymoon period’ as Red Devils boss.
READ MORE:Paul Scholes explains why he thinks Patrick Dorgu and Leny Yoro should be sold at Man Utd
Michael Carrick applauds the fans after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in 2026 in Bournemouth, England.
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
If not Michael Carrick… WHO ELSE?
Can you name a good available alternative to Michael Carrick you actually want?
Getty Images
Paul Scholes on the key role that the winter period would play in a potential Michael Carrick-Man Utd managerial run
Paul Scholes insisted that former Manchester United and England teammate Michael Carrick has not faced the same test that Ruben Amorim had experienced before him.
“I think he’s put himself in a much better position,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football.
More United News
“Now, look, I’m not going to say it’s quite easy to win games because it isn’t; of course, everyone wants to beat Manchester United.
“But it’s easier now to win games now from what he’s come into about a man [Ruben Amorim] who didn’t do great, round pegs, round holes, all that kind of stuff.”
Carrick has been tipped as one potential candidate for the vacant Red Devils managerial role after Man Utd sacked Ruben Amorim in January.
Scholes insisted that Carrick’s permanent appointment to the United manager post would show whether or not he was the “right choice” by this coming November.
“The big question will be the start of next season, the first 10 or 15 games of next year, when you have to win games, you have to put yourself in a position: Champions League, the league, that’s when it becomes a proper job,” he added.
“We won’t know if Michael is the right choice for… people say two or three years, but I think you’ll probably know [by] next November.”
READ MORE:Gary Lineker makes bold Marcus Rashford prediction amid Barcelona spell as England’s World Cup campaign looms
YOU are Michael Carrick – Pitch why you should be permanent Man Utd manager to Ineos
Give us your two-line pitch…
Getty Images
Despite the Man Utd warning, Paul Scholes thinks Michael Carrick could step up as Ruben Amorim’s long-term successor
Ineos are expected to appoint Ruben Amorim’s permanent replacement at Man Utd in the summer after the end of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Carrick has seven Premier League matches left in his interim head coach reign and the 44-year-old Man Utd legend has been hailed for his work at Old Trafford.
Scholes admitted that Carrick has impressed him during his interim reign and could see him stepping up if the permanent Man Utd manager role were handed to him.
“Sometimes managers just look right and just looking at Michael, the way he handles himself, not so much the way he dresses, but he just looks right,” he explained.
“He’s unflappable now because everything’s going alright… I’m saying let’s see next November, if they’ve lost two or three games, all of a sudden, they’re seventh, eighth in the league, maybe lose a Champions League game, that’s when the big test will be.
“Look, I think Michael can handle it.”
Carrick has won seven of his 10 Premier League matches as interim boss since January ahead of the Red Devils hosting Leeds United at Old Trafford on 13th April.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox