Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has publicly endorsed Carlo Ancelotti as the ideal permanent manager for the club, despite acknowledging the impressive interim work of current caretaker Michael Carrick. Scholes' comments come as Carrick has led United to an unbeaten run, winning six of seven games and lifting the team to third place in the Premier League.
Carrick's Interim Success Creates Managerial Dilemma
Since taking over as caretaker manager following Ruben Amorim's January dismissal, former United midfielder Michael Carrick has orchestrated what Scholes describes as an 'unbelievable' transformation. The Red Devils have climbed above top-four rivals Aston Villa, Liverpool, and Chelsea during Carrick's tenure, putting significant pressure on club ownership to consider him for the permanent position.
"Michael Carrick is doing great, it's unbelievable the change," Scholes stated during an appearance on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast. "If you put yourself in the owner's shoes or whoever is making the decision, he's putting real pressure on them to get the job."
The Case for Experience Over Tactical Obsession
Scholes argues that Manchester United requires a specific type of manager rather than simply the most technically gifted coach. Drawing parallels to legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Scholes emphasized the importance of man-management skills at elite clubs.
"You're at a big club with good players who know what they're doing," Scholes explained. "Maybe they need a man-manager more than anything. If you look back to Sir Alex Ferguson, he was never a coach really but he knew the players, he knew what the players needed and how to treat players to get the best out of them."
The former England midfielder pointed to Real Madrid's success under managers like Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane as examples of how effective man-management can outweigh tactical obsession at top clubs.
Ancelotti Emerges as Scholes' 'Perfect' Candidate
Despite Carrick's success, Scholes believes Carlo Ancelotti represents the ideal solution for Manchester United's long-term managerial needs. The Italian coach, currently preparing Brazil for this summer's World Cup, boasts one of football's most impressive resumes with titles won in England, Italy, Spain, France, and Germany, plus five Champions League victories.
"Now the perfect one out there... Ancelotti is still out there," Scholes declared. "He's that perfect one for Manchester United where you think he would make players feel a million dollars and he's got the experience of winning trophies."
Questions Remain About Carrick's Readiness
Scholes expressed reservations about Carrick's ability to navigate difficult periods and ultimately deliver Premier League titles, which he identified as the true measure of a Manchester United manager.
"The question over Michael is does he have the experience?" Scholes questioned. "I know he's managed in the Championship but this is obviously different. Can we see Carrick winning United the Premier League? Look, we don't know yet."
The United legend emphasized that evaluating a potential manager requires considering whether they can deliver championship success rather than merely top-four finishes.
Butt Offers Contrasting Perspective
Fellow Manchester United legend Nicky Butt presented a different viewpoint, suggesting Carrick has positioned himself as the logical choice for the permanent role given his current success and limited alternatives.
"If I was a betting man I'd be putting my money on Carrick being the permanent manager," Butt stated. "How can you sit here now and say he shouldn't get the job? There's not that many other options, who else would they go for?"
Butt noted that other potential candidates like Thomas Tuchel have become unavailable after signing new contracts elsewhere, strengthening Carrick's case for the permanent position.
Immediate Challenges Ahead
As the managerial debate continues, Manchester United faces immediate challenges on the pitch. The team will attempt to consolidate their top-four position with a crucial Premier League match against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Wednesday.
The decision facing Manchester United's ownership represents one of the most significant in recent club history, balancing Carrick's current momentum against Ancelotti's proven track record of delivering trophies at football's highest levels.
