Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick dismisses Paul Scholes’ social media criticism, staying focused ahead of crucial Aston Villa match

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has dismissed criticism from former teammate Paul Scholes ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

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United, currently third in the table, are preparing to host Villa after a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United earlier this month.

With Villa just behind on goal difference, the match is pivotal in the battle for Champions League qualification next season.

Scholes had posted a sarcastic remark on Instagram, saying:

“Michael has definitely got something special about him… cos Utd have been crap last four games.”

The former England international later clarified that no offence was intended and reached out to Carrick personally.

At a pre-match press conference on Friday, Carrick remained unbothered by the comments.

“There’s nothing to say about it, really. I think that’s just where we are in terms of social media and things and captions and quotes. It can be taken in different ways,” Carrick said.

“Listen, there are different opinions out there, and it’s fine. People can have different opinions. It’s just things get taken way out of one extreme to the other, and it is what it is, but I’m not worried about it, and I don’t make a big deal of it either.”

Carrick also reflected on United’s inconsistent form, pointing out that the Newcastle defeat, his first since taking over in January, was inevitable in such a competitive league.

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“It’s a tough league. Most teams, if not every team, have suffered that in recent times. It’s putting things in perspective,” he said, stressing the need to focus on upcoming fixtures rather than social media chatter.