Pundit Paul Scholes has sent a warning message to his former club after Manchester United brought Michael Carrick back to Old Trafford last week.
Michael Carrick beat fellow Red Devils legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become Manchester United interim head coach until the end of the 2025-26 season.
Michael Carrick is off to the PERFECT START at Man Utd, and he wants more!
Why do you think it went SO RIGHT for Carrick against City?
Carrick graphic
Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
The Red Devils had initially installed Darren Fletcher as caretaker manager last week after Man Utd sacked Ruben Amorim as the Premier League club’s head coach.
Manchester United Under-18s head coach Darren Fletcher only oversaw two matches in charge in the post-Ruben Amorim era at Old Trafford.
Carrick became Ineos and United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s preferred pick to succeed Amorim in the short term amid their hunt for a new permanent manager.
READ MORE: Man Utd linked with world-class manager who is more ‘successful’ than Pep Guardiola right now, says Sam Allardyce
Michael Carrick speaks with Bruno Fernandes during the Premier League football match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, in 2026.
Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images
What Paul Scholes could now see happening with Man Utd fans during Michael Carrick’s reign at Old Trafford
Michael Carrick already brought a massive euphoria rush to Old Trafford after Manchester United’s sensational 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend.
More United News
Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu both netted in the second half and Man Utd overpowered Man City in a stunning Premier League performance in the derby.
Who will be Michael Carrick’s first Manchester United academy debutant?
Carrick will need Carrington with no January signings…
Jayce Fitzgerald walking out for Manchester United.
Photo by Poppy Townson – MUFC/Manchester United via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Paul Scholes dropped his two cents on former Man Utd and England teammate Carrick returning to Old Trafford last week.
The 51-year-old United legend insisted that Carrick could do enough during his interim reign, where United fans would want his appointment to be made permanent.
“The trouble is you have now, you almost build a rod for your own back, like with Ole,” he said.
“Now, if he does really well now to the end of the season, United fans will demand it, won’t they?”
READ MORE: Sam Allardyce claims Ruben Amorim did something at Man Utd that he ‘never’ did once in his entire career
Paul Scholes makes a comparison between Michael Carrick and Man Utd legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially became caretaker manager after Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018 before a scintillating run saw him earn the role permanently in 2019.
Carrick became part of Solskjaer’s United coaching staff and was installed as caretaker manager briefly in 2021 after the former Man Utd manager was sacked.
Should Kobbie Mainoo be an automatic starter under Michael Carrick now?
Kobbie Mainoo only needed 90 minutes to prove Ruben Amorim wrong!
Stats graphic
Stats: SkySports, picture: Getty
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Scholes has now warned that the Red Devils could find themselves in a repeat of the Solskjaer situation if Carrick’s run at Man Utd is a major success this season.
“No, look, I don’t think it should happen [Carrick’s permanent appointment],” he continued.
“And will they learn the lesson from the Ole thing?
“Will they be a bit scarred from that? They probably will, but you know what it’s like.”
United will now return to action on late Sunday afternoon under Carrick, with the Red Devils visiting the Emirates to face Premier League leaders Arsenal.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox