Manchester United manager Michael Carrick brushes aside Paul Scholes criticism
Interim Manchester United manager, Michael Carrick, got off to a winning start against Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The Red Devils were second best for the opening period but improved as the game went on. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho ensured they qualified for the last 16 with a game to spare.
While there were still aspects to be improved upon and tactics to be refined, it was a step in the right direction. The win can be seen as a slap in the face of Paul Scholes.
According to The Metro, the United legend slammed Carrick, Kieran McKenna and Mike Phelan for staying put following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The United boss went on to diplomatically add that the result on the night is more about the team than himself.
“It’s not an important result for me personally. It’s an important one for the players and the club.”
Given the recent run of reversals, the buck had to stop here and Carrick, to his credit, did just that. There is little chance that he will escape criticism given the nature of the job. However, as long as the results speak for themselves, it will be just empty noise.
“It was vital we came here and got the right result and we managed to do that so I’m delighted.”
Given how Solskjaer’s run turned out, it is easy to be sceptical of Carrick, a member of the Norwegian’s coaching staff during his time at Old Trafford. While it remains to be seen if he will be handed the reins as full-time manager, we should not get ahead of ourselves.
What is needed is an objective look at performances and results irrespective of who is in charge. Scholes is open to his opinions but should also keep an unbiased stance that is in line with the happenings on the pitch.
A new beginning?
Scholes, now a pundit, was vocal in his criticism of the tactics employed by Solskjaer in the final weeks of the Norwegian’s reign. He was one of the few pundits who were left wary despite Man United’s comeback win against Atalanta at Old Trafford.
His words proved prophetic as Liverpool put the Red Devils to the sword in front of a stunned Old Trafford earlier this season. Carrick was part of Solskjaer’s management system and it would be ludicrous to suggest he had no say in tactics and organization.
But that should not colour the opinion of him now that he has taken up a new role. As the caretaker manager, Carrick has a larger say in tactics and it was on display last night at the Estadio de la Ceramica. It is, however, too early to say if he is the man to take us forward.
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United take on Premier League trendsetters Chelsea in the blockbuster League clash this weekend. A win on the night should silence any of Carrick’s doubters for the time being.
By opting to bench Bruno Fernandes and playing Jadon Sancho, Carrick has shown that he has the courage to make decisions for the benefit of the team.
