Paul Scholes has issued a warning to Michael Carrick ahead of his permanent appointment as Manchester United head coach.
Ahead of Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, it was reported that Michael Carrick is in formal talks with Ineos over his appointment.
With 11 wins in 16 games as interim head coach, Michael Carrick has deserved a shot at the permanent job heading into 2026/27.
Paul Scholes was against Carrick’s appointment as he preferred a more experienced candidate. Ahead of the confirmation, Paul Scholes has warned Carrick about what lies ahead.
Michael Carrick and Sir Jim Ratcliffe are set for ‘formal talks’ over the Man Utd job / What is your reaction?
Paul Scholes warns Michael Carrick his work is only starting at Man Utd
Scholes wanted Thomas Tuchel or Luis Enrique at United, but he has now come to terms with Carrick taking the Old Trafford hot seat.
On the latest episode of The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes spoke to Nicky Butt about Carrick’s appointment.
“This job changes now for him,” Scholes said. “There is expectation, it’s a big job anyway but now it’s real because he has trophies to go for.
“He’s got to try and get them close to winning the league. And that’ll come from expectations.
“And I think Man United’s expectations have to be tapered a little. Can we win the League Cup, can we win the FA Cup? Can we get second or third in the league? Man United can expect the world because it’s Man United.
“I just hope Michael doesn’t think because we’ve done so well, that’s it, the job’s done. There’s still a lot of things in that team to address.”
Paul Scholes says Michael Carrick winning games could become a bad thing for Manchester United
What do you think of Scholes comments?
Michael Carrick’s true test awaits him in 2026/27
During his interim spell, Carrick has brought back the buzz to Old Trafford and restored optimism and ambition in the United fanbase.
A third-place finish this season was well above expectations after a miserable 15th-place finish in 2024/25.
A return to the Champions League is fantastic, but it does mean that United will compete in four competitions next season.
It is up to Carrick to make sure he has a squad ready to compete on all fronts, as expectations will grow.
Ineos want to win the Premier League by 2028, so Carrick will need to show progress if he wants to be the manager who leads the Red Devils on their title charge.
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