Paul Scholes has questioned whether Michael Carrick "wants out" of Manchester United following a difficult start to the new Premier League campaign. The 45-year-old was only handed a permanent deal at Old Trafford this summer, after delivering encouraging results during an initial caretaker spell between January and May.
Yet any momentum Carrick appeared to have built towards the end of last season seems to have evaporated in the early stages of 2026/27. United presently sit 13th in the Premier League table after six matches, with only one victory to their name, and have looked poor for long periods in games.
Doubts emerge over Carrick's future
Consequently, doubts are emerging over Carrick's long-term future at the club, particularly given the Red Devils' history of dismissing managers mid-season. For perspective, Erik ten Hag was sacked in October 2024, while his replacement Ruben Amorim was shown the door at the start of 2026.
While the prevailing view suggests the club will grant Carrick extra time before taking any radical action, the board will demand improved performances over the next month, given how pivotal October and early November could prove for the season.
Scholes casts doubt on commitment
Against this backdrop, Carrick's former United team-mate Scholes has cast doubt on whether Carrick's commitment remains fully with United. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football, the 51-year-old remarked: "Michael did okay in Middlesbrough with what he had.
"I think Middlesbrough were probably expecting more with the budget they had. There's a bit of me when you look at Michael because I know him...Michael's a nice lad. Is there a bit of him that's thinking, 'Get me out of here. Get me out of here, I'll take a few quid.'"
Hurzeler considered but Scholes unconvinced
Scholes also weighed in on whether Fabian Hurzeler would be a suitable replacement for Carrick, should the club choose to pursue alternative options. The German has made an impressive start to the campaign so far, with the Seagulls occupying third position in the table following four victories, one draw and a single defeat.
Nevertheless, Scholes remains unconvinced that Hurzeler would be the appropriate candidate for the United hot seat. He continued: "He's done great. He looks the real deal, but again, Man United is different.
"The scrutiny is on you every single week. If Brighton didn't win a game for the next 10 games, nobody would really be that bothered. The one thing that someone like Hurzeler has got over Michael is that he's done a body of work in the Premier League."
Scholes also suggested that United may need to examine their decision-making at the boardroom level, emphasising that the club cannot keep sacking managers while expecting a different result. He continued: "We've been here for the last three years. We look like it looks like or the sound it sounds like, they're going to change the manager again.
"How can we keep doing this? We're back to square one after six games of the season. When do you stop sacking managers and start blaming people above, the people who are possibly buying the players, the people who are pointing at Michael?"
