Paul Scholes has questioned whether Michael Carrick "wants out" of Manchester United at present, following a tough start to the new Premier League season. The 45-year-old only received a permanent contract at Old Trafford this summer, having impressed in an initial interim stint between January and May.
However, any form that Carrick looked to have conjured toward the back end of last season appears to have dissipated in early 2026/27. United currently find themselves 13th in the Premier League standings after six games, with just a single win to show for their efforts.
Pressure mounts at Old Trafford
As a result, questions are starting to be asked regarding Carrick's future with the club, given the Reds' track record for firing head coaches midway through a season. For context, Erik ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024, while his successor in Ruben Amorim was handed his walking papers at the turn of 2026.
While the general consensus is that the club will afford Carrick more time at the helm before making any drastic decisions, the board will expect better results over the coming month, given just how season defining October and early November could turn out to be.
Scholes on Carrick's mindset
With that said, former United team-mate, Scholes, has questioned whether Carrick's heart is truly with United at present. Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football, the 51-year-old said: "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 verdict and wider concerns
Scholes also discussed the suitability of Fabian Hurzeler replacing Carrick at the reins, should the club decide to explore other avenues. The German has enjoyed a bright start to the season thus far, with the Seagulls sitting third on the league table as a result of four wins, one draw and just one defeat.
However, Scholes isn't convinced that Hurzeler would be the right man for the United hot seat. He added: "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 raised the point that United may need to start taking account for their actions higher up the pecking order, highlighting how the club can't continue sacking managers and expecting a different outcome.
He added: "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?"
