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Managing Manchester United has never been a straightforward task, and taking charge on an interim basis comes with its own share of highs and lows.

Michael Carrick began his tenure impressively after stepping in for Ruben Amorim, guiding the Red Devils to four consecutive victories, starting with a 2-0 win over local rivals Manchester City. With each win, Carrick’s start appeared to highlight Amorim’s struggles in hindsight.

However, at Old Trafford, the pressure remains unrelenting—not just from within the club but also from external voices that wield considerable influence. Often, it’s those straddling the line between insiders and outsiders who deliver the most biting criticism.

Manchester United are among the few Premier League heavyweights whose managers and players face continuous scrutiny from a legion of former stars turned pundits.

While it can be beneficial when the likes of Gary Neville and Roy Keane praise the team during good spells, the same network of ex-players can make life difficult for a manager when results dip.

Carrick, to his credit, is not struggling. His side’s performances form just part of the overall picture, as most fans remain focused on results given the stakes at this stage of the campaign. Since Amorim’s exit and Darren Fletcher’s brief stint as caretaker, Carrick has overseen six wins in eight Premier League outings.

Although Wednesday’s late defeat at Newcastle United was a setback, United’s overall form under Carrick has been a noticeable improvement. Yet, former midfielder Paul Scholes seems less than impressed.

A long-time teammate of Carrick for both club and country, Scholes is famously hard to please. He continues to measure United against the exceptionally high standards set during his years under Sir Alex Ferguson and is quick to spot when those standards slip.

Following United’s loss at St James’ Park, Scholes expressed his dissatisfaction in a now-deleted Instagram story.

“Michael has definitely got something special about him…cos Utd have been crap last 4 games…night,” wrote the 51-year-old, an 11-time Premier League champion, signing off with a kiss emoji.

Of the 11 league titles Scholes earned, five came alongside Carrick, who now seems fully focused on the challenges ahead.

With United already out of the FA Cup, Carrick’s side now has a 10-day breather before facing Aston Villa—a crucial fixture in their bid for a Champions League spot—once the Premier League resumes after this weekend’s fifth-round matches.

Following that, the Red Devils travel to face AFC Bournemouth before hosting Leeds United, leading up to a pivotal clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in mid-April.

If Carrick can maintain the team’s current trajectory in terms of results, even Scholes may find little room for criticism as United aim to strengthen their position ahead of that decisive run of fixtures.

Whether Carrick is in contention for the permanent role in the summer remains to be seen, but his commitment to the interim job is evident. Still, for some United supporters, the sense that a few club legends remain unconvinced continues to linger.