Paul Scholes has been vocal on the subject of potential Manchester United managers for a number of years as a pundit
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 8: Paul Scholes working as a television pundit for TNT Sports during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between Manchester United and Athletic Club at Old Trafford on May 8, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Paul Scholes has had his say on Manchester United in recent years(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has voiced his worries regarding Michael Carrick's spell as interim manager at Old Trafford. The club faces a decision on appointing a new permanent boss come summer, and one of Scholes' past favourites, Ralph Hasenhuttl, will likely have spent more than a year away from management by the time United make their appointment.
"Michael has definitely got something special about him...cos Utd have been c*** last four games...night," Scholes posted on social media when Carrick's side suffered their first defeat of his tenure against 10-man Newcastle. The Red Devils collected seven points from those four fixtures but required a late equaliser from Benjamin Sesko against West Ham and failed to fully convince in narrow victories over Everton and Crystal Palace.
Carrick could still secure the position permanently if the remainder of the season goes to plan. Should the former midfielder guide the club back into the Champions League - while they presently occupy third spot in the table, just three points separate them from Liverpool in sixth - then the board may feel it is impossible to overlook him.
Numerous candidates have been linked with the role, though several - including Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti - seem to have removed themselves from consideration by penning contract extensions in their present national team roles. One individual without such complications is Hasenhuttl, who earned praise from Scholes when United last found themselves with an interim manager at the helm for a prolonged period but has seen his stock fall in the years since.
Halfway through the 2021/22 campaign, Ralf Rangnick assumed interim control at Old Trafford following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal. He was only ever scheduled to remain until the conclusion of that season, when a fresh permanent appointment would be secured, and Scholes argued for Hasenhuttl when the Austrian led his Southampton team to a draw at Old Trafford.
Scholes was operating as a pundit on TNT Sports predecessor BT Sport when fellow guest Glenn Hoddle highlighted the prior working relationship between Rangnick and Hasenhuttl at RB Leipzig. At the time, United had been intending to retain Rangnick in a consultancy capacity, though this altered when Erik ten Hag was appointed and the interim boss turned his attention to a new role with the Austrian national team.
Scholes also recognised the bond between the pair before adding: "I've always thought the football he plays at Southampton with not the best squad. The type of football has worked for them. His teams have been good to watch; I think it comes across really well.
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 06: Head Coach Ralph Hasenhuttl of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Newcastle United at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on November 06, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Southampton remains Ralph Hasenhuttl's only Premier League job in his career(Image: Robin Jones, Getty Images)
View 2 Images
"This would be a different kind of pressure; I think people around this club, and fans especially, are thinking more of possibly [Mauricio] Pochettino or an Antonio Conte and what people have been at the bigger clubs. The more I think about it, I don't think it would be a bad thing. The way he goes about his business, he looks good."
At the time, Hasenhuttl's Southampton sat 10th in the Premier League but they would tumble to 15th by the end of the campaign. He was shown the door following a wretched start to the 2022/23 season that left his side staring at the drop and they were ultimately relegated under Ruben Selles after a brief spell with Nathan Jones at the helm.
Hasenhuttl didn't rush back into management, spending a year out of the game before taking over at Wolfsburg in March 2024. He kept the German side up, picking up 12 points from eight games but was let go in May 2025 - just two games before the end of his first full season.
More recently, the Austrian has been linked with positions of a considerably different standing. A comeback at Southampton was touted following Will Still's dismissal in the autumn, whilst he also emerged as one of the frontrunners to succeed Marti Cifuentes at Leicester, only for the Foxes to ultimately appoint Gary Rowett.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Content Image
Content Image