Scholes questions whether Carrick 'wants out' of Manchester United after poor start

Paul Scholes has cast doubt on Michael Carrick’s commitment to Manchester United, questioning whether his former team-mate is already looking for a way out after a difficult opening to the 2026/27 Premier League season.

United sit 13th in the table after six games, with a single win to their name — a stark contrast to the form Carrick appeared to build during his interim spell between January and May. The 45-year-old was handed a permanent contract at Old Trafford this summer, but early results have reignited familiar questions about managerial stability at the club.

Speaking on the Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, Scholes 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.’?”

The context around Carrick’s position is hard to ignore. Erik ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024, and his successor Ruben Amorim was relieved of his duties at the turn of 2026. United’s board is understood to be willing to give Carrick more time, but October and early November are seen internally as a defining stretch of the season.

Scholes also addressed speculation linking Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler with the United job, should the club decide to make a change. Hurzeler has made an impressive start to the campaign, with Brighton sitting third after four wins, a draw and one defeat. Despite that, Scholes stopped short of endorsing the German as the right fit for Old Trafford.

“He’s done great. He looks the real deal, but again, Man United is different,” Scholes said. “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 used the opportunity to raise broader concerns about decision-making above the dugout, suggesting United cannot keep cycling through managers and expect a different outcome without addressing structural issues higher up the club.