Patrice Evra has launched a scathing attack on three Manchester United legends, accusing them of spreading 'negative analysis' during Michael Carrick's tenure as manager. The former United defender specifically targeted Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and Paul Scholes, with Scholes' recent comments sparking particular controversy.
Scholes' Instagram Post Sparks Outrage
Paul Scholes made headlines earlier this week after Manchester United suffered their first defeat under Carrick, losing 2-1 to a 10-man Newcastle side on Wednesday. Scholes posted a brutal Instagram story, which he later deleted, stating: "Michael has definitely got something special about him. United have been crap last four games... night."
This remark baffled a portion of the United fan base, with many believing Scholes has been overly critical of the club for an extended period. Evra expressed his dismay, suggesting he hoped the post was fake or that Scholes had been hacked.
Evra's Fiery Response
In an interview with gambling website Stake, Evra did not hold back. "To be honest, I'm not surprised at that from Scholesy," he said. "He was the quietest player I've ever played with in my entire career. Now, in the media, he drops bombshells."
Evra emphasised his frustration with the lack of support for Carrick, who is a former teammate and part of the United family. "I really don't understand the lack of support behind Michael Carrick, he's one of us and he's doing very well," Evra added. "There's been negative analysis from Scholesy, but also from Roy Keane and Gary Neville."
Criticism of Media Roles
Evra argued that the negativity stems from the demands of television work. "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," he explained.
Focusing on Gary Neville, Evra referenced Neville's brief and unsuccessful managerial stint at Valencia. "Most of these guys get a managerial job and get fired straightaway," Evra said. "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.' After three months, they said goodbye."
Questioning Legitimacy of Criticism
Evra questioned whether club legends have a responsibility to be more positive, especially given their own managerial failures. "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," he stated. "So for them to speak and possibly kill the career of a manager, it's a little bit too much."
United's Performance Under Carrick
Despite the recent defeat, Manchester United have shown strong form under Carrick's leadership. The team started with four consecutive wins, followed by a 1-1 draw with West Ham, and then victories over Everton and Crystal Palace before the Newcastle loss.
Currently, United sit third in the Premier League table, positioning them well for qualification to the 2026-27 Champions League. Their next match is against fourth-placed Aston Villa on Sunday, March 15, which could be crucial in the race for top-four spots.
Evra's comments highlight a growing tension between former players turned pundits and those who believe in supporting the club from within. As United continue their campaign, the debate over the role of legends in media analysis is likely to persist.
