Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has put forward the manager he believes the club should target after the World Cup
Carlo Ancelotti
Paul Scholes thinks Carlo Ancelotti is 'perfect' for Man United(Image: Getty Images)
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Paul Scholes has suggested that Manchester United should look to appoint Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager this summer. While the club is expected to make a permanent appointment at the end of the season, interim head coach Michael Carrick has impressed since taking over from Ruben Amorim in January and could be in contention to take the job on a long‑term basis.
Former midfielder Carrick now has the joint‑best record of any Premier League manager across their first seven games, winning six and drawing one. United's 2-1 comeback against Crystal Palace strengthened their hold on a top‑five place, lifting them above Aston Villa and into third.
However, Scholes believes Ancelotti is the ideal manager for the club. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football Podcast, he said: "The perfect one out there - I say perfect - Ancelotti is still out there. I know he is coach of Brazil.
"He is the perfect one for Manchester United where you think he will make players feel a million dollars. And he has the experience of winning stuff.
Carlo Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti will lead Brazil at this summer's World Cup in North America(Image: Getty Images)
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"But the question is, is he too old now? That's the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader."
Ancelotti managed Real Madrid for four years before leaving the club last year, and while he will lead Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, he has been out of domestic football since his departure.
Scholes, meanwhile, explained why he believes Carrick may not yet have the experience required to lead the Red Devils forward.
"The question is, has Michael got the experience?" Scholes continued. "I know it's a big question, I know he has managed in the Championship, but this is different.
"Can we see Michael winning the Premier League? I don't know yet, and I think the biggest thing is, what type of manager will they look for? A tactician or a man manager who looks after people? Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer] was that.
"But all the people who are man managers, they always have a brilliant coach next to them, which Michael has got [Steve Holland].
"The club have to decide, do they want a master tactician, which has failed. Ole Gunnar had the man management skills, but did he have the experience to go on and win a trophy?
"The same questions will be asked of Michael."
United have ten games left this season to cement their place in the top four as they push to return to European competition.
United's last Champions League appearance came in the 2023/24 campaign, when they finished bottom of their group and exited early. The following season, they reached the Europa League final, where they were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in Bilbao.