PAUL SCHOLES took a dig at his former team-mate Michael Carrick after Manchester United slipped to a 2-1 defeat against ten-man Newcastle.
Reacting on his Instagram story, Scholes did not hold back after an abject United failed to capitalise on Jacob Ramsey‘s red card at the end of the first half.
He joked: “Michael has definitely got something special about him… Cos Utd have been CRAP last 4 games… Night! Tonali,” (with a heart emoji)
Of course, the Tonali reference goes back to Scholes insisting that the Italian is better than Arsenal star Declan Rice on The Overlap Fan Debate.
Newcastle managed to secure the win thanks to a penalty from Anthony Gordon and a late worldie from substitute Will Osula.
A Casemiro header deep into first-half injury time had pulled United level.
Scholes and Carrick played 160 games together for the Red Devils between 2006 and 2013.
They won eight major trophies together including five Premier League titles and one Champions League, but clearly those sentiments are lost on Scholes.
Carrick has stepped into the breach after the club sacked Ruben Amorim at the start of January and, generally, the club’s fortunes have improved.
Headline wins against Arsenal and Manchester City improved morale and the club does currently sit in third place in the Premier League, firmly in the running for a return to Champions League football.
BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK
Cheltenham Festival – all the info
Cheltenham Festival is almost here!
The huge jumps meet will take place across four days with 28 blockbuster races to enjoy.
Hundreds of thousands of fans and several famous faces are set to flock to Prestbury Park for one of the highlights in the sporting calendar.
The iconic festival will reach its climax on Friday, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup capturing the nation’s attention.
ALL THE INFO
LATEST NEWS
However, despite grinding out results against Everton, Fulham and Crystal Palace, fans and pundits have begun to question the team’s performances.
Carrick admitted he was not happy with the performance his side put in at St James’ Park.
He said: “We’re not happy with the performance tonight. It was the way the game panned out and it was in our hands largely, but credit to Newcastle. I thought the way they approached the game, we knew it was going to be a tough game here.
“We navigated the game to be in a position where we felt we should kick on, but we didn’t really. Bitterly disappointed.
“I don’t think it was the ten men, we just wasn’t good enough tonight. We can’t make any excuses for that. We all take responsability for that and we know.
“It was just the [lack of] quality and performance. It wasn’t anything to do with character or wanting to win or anything like that.”
Roy Keane has already said Carrick “lacks the football knowledge” to lead Manchester United and Scholes seems to share a similar outlook.
Speaking on his podcast The Good, The Bad and The Football this week, Scholes named Carlo Ancelotti as the man the club have to go and get after the World Cup this summer.
He said: “The perfect one out there – I say perfect – Ancelotti is still out there. I know he is coach of Brazil.
“He is the perfect one for Manchester United where you think he will make players feel a million dollars. And he has the experience of winning stuff.
“But the question is, is he too old now? That’s the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader.”
While it seems some Man United legends don’t want Carrick to get the job full-time, the club does remain on course for a Champions League finish.
Man Utd ratings vs Newcastle: Cunha gets back on track but Mbeumo still struggling after Afcon
MICHAEL CARRICK’S winning run as Manchester United head coach came to a bitter end at his old favourite stadium.
The Geordie boss seven-match unbeaten streak snapped as 10-man Newcastle snatched a dramatic 2-1 win at St James’ Park.
Casemiro’s header capped off a dramatic first-half stoppage time that saw Anthony Gordon score a penalty and Jacob Ramsey sent-off diving.
Bruno Fernandes clashed with Joelinton in the tunnel at the break, before tensions levelled in the second-half.
But super-sub Will Osula’s incredible curling finish won it for Eddie Howe’s side in the 90th minute.
Boyhood Geordie Carrick remains third in the table on goal difference and head into a 14 day break until hosting the Villans on March 15.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated the United players at a simmering St James’ Park…
