Paul Scholes insisted he didn’t want to offend Michael Carrick after he appeared to take a swipe at his ex-teammate on social media.
The Manchester United legend posted a cryptic message on his Instagram story after their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United last week.
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It was the first loss that the club have suffered under Carrick, who is taking charge as head coach until the end of the season.
“Michael has definitely got something special about him…cos Utd have been crap last 4 games… night,” Scholes said.
Many sections of the United fanbase were critical of the message, but Scholes has downplayed any sense of animosity to the interim boss.
“It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
“Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football, he’d be the last person I’d want to offend.”
Scholes then revealed what he said to Carrick afterwards, adding: “I messaged Michael anyway.
“I went straight to Michael and said, ‘Look, I was never intending to upset you.’
“And I don’t think I needed to say that anyway, and he told me himself he wasn’t upset by it.”
“I think people have just taken it differently from what was meant,” Scholes also explained.
“The only thing I was saying, was that I don’t think they played that well the last four games, and he’s still managing to get results.”
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How has Carrick done at United so far?
Carrick was brought in to take the head coach role at United from Darren Fletcher, who replaced Ruben Amorim as caretaker boss.
The former Middlesbrough manager has had an excellent second stint in the Old Trafford dugout with six wins from eight matches.
He won the Manchester derby on his first game back before beating Premier League leaders Arsenal away from home.
Only West Ham United and Newcastle have been able to take points off United during the second Carrick era.
His success on the touchline has raised questions over whether or not he should be rewarded with a permanent appointment.
Roy Keane initially dismissed claims that Carrick could be the long-term answer for United, but later said he hopes he gets the job.
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However, talkSPORT’s Angelina Kelly believes that Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique is the man to take United forward.
Whilst she acknowledged that Carrick might be the lead candidate, she said that Enrique is the standout option for the club.
