Paul Scholes took a swipe at Michael Carrick after Manchester United lost against Newcastle on Wednesday, and now Patrice Evra has fired back while also taking aim at both Gary Neville and Roy Keane
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 23: Paul Scholes (L) and Patrice Evra of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on March 23, 2012 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Paul Scholes' comments have riled Patrice Evra(Image: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Patrice Evra has criticised three Manchester United legends for their 'negative analysis' during Michael Carrick's reign. Former United star Evra hit out at Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, with the latter having made headlines earlier this week.
After United slumped to their first defeat under Carrick, losing 2-1 away to 10-man Newcastle on Wednesday, Scholes posted a brutal Instagram story which he later deleted. "Michael has definitely got something special about him," Scholes wrote. "United have been crap last four games... night."
Scholes' comments baffled a portion of the United fan base, with some believing that he's been overly critical of the club for a long time. Now Evra has chimed in, hitting out at Scholes as well as Neville and Keane, who've also been accused of negativity.
"I hope Paul Scholes' Instagram story is fake," Evra told gambling website Stake. "I hope he was hacked.
"To be honest, I'm not surprised at that from Scholesy. He was the quietest player I've ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells.
"I really don't understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick, he's one of us and he's doing very well. There's been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville.
"It annoys me because we want to be in the top four, and those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work in TV. You can't be positive, you have to be negative."
Focusing solely on Neville, Evra added: "Most of these guys get a managerial job and get fired straightaway. I said to Neville, 'It's easy to talk on TV. When you were at Valencia, they asked you for paella, and you gave them fish and chips.'
BILBAO, SPAIN - MARCH 10: Head coach Gary Neville of Valencia CF looks on prior to the start the UEFA Europa League Round of 16: First Leg match between Athletic Club and Valencia CF at San Mames Stadium on March 10, 2016 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
Gary Neville was sacked by Valencia after less than fourth months(Image: Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)
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"After three months, they said goodbye. People can't forget what they have done as a manager. As players, they're legends, but as managers, they haven't done a great job. So for them to speak and possibly kill the career of a manager, it's a little bit too much."
United got off to an awesome start under Carrick, winning four games on the trot before a 1-1 draw with West Ham. The Red Devils had got back to winning ways against Everton and Crystal Palace before Wednesday's defeat.
Despite the loss, Carrick's side remain third in the Premier League table and on course to qualify for the 2026-27 Champions League. United will next be in action on Sunday, March 15, hosting fourth-placed Aston Villa.