Paul Scholes Evaluates Manchester United's Progress Under Michael Carrick
Paul Scholes has welcomed Manchester United’s revival under Michael Carrick – but he is adamant they are not yet ready to trade blows with Arsenal for the Premier League crown.
United were drifting last season. Champions League hopes were fading, European football of any kind looked in danger, and the mood around Old Trafford was sour. Then Carrick stepped in for Ruben Amorim in January and flipped the narrative.
From a side stumbling in mid-table, United surged to a third-place finish, ending the campaign only seven points behind Manchester City. That second-half charge has fuelled talk that Carrick could go one better in his first full season and launch a serious title challenge.
Scholes isn’t buying that. Not yet.
Scholes impressed by Carrick – but warns of gap to Arsenal
Speaking on The Overlap, the former United midfielder pointed straight at Carrick’s temperament as the foundation of the turnaround.
“I think it comes from Michael Carrick’s character. He’s just a calm and relaxed character, he won’t ever get too high or too low,” Scholes said, highlighting the steady hand now guiding the club he once dominated from midfield.
The question, as he sees it, is not whether United are better. They clearly are. It’s what the club should be judged against.
“Where you have to judge United’s transfer business is what do you expect from them? Are you expecting them to challenge for the Premier League? I still think that’s a little bit away with the business that’s been done.”
That benchmark is clear: Arsenal.
The Gunners ended their long wait for a league title last season, lifting their first Premier League trophy since 2004 and reaching the Champions League final, where they lost to PSG on penalties. They have not stood still since. A strong transfer window has reinforced Mikel Arteta’s squad, and they sent an early message by dismantling Enzo Maresca’s Man City 3-0 in the Community Shield.
United, in Scholes’ eyes, are progressing – but still chasing.
Recruitment by sections – and a lingering problem through the spine
Scholes sees logic in United’s squad-building, but also clear holes.
“I think on the recruitment point of view, they seem to be doing it in different sections,” he said. “This time last year they seemed to sort out the forward line which is now much better and much more dangerous.”
He still wants more help for Benjamin Sesko.
“They could probably still do with another centre forward to help [Benjamin] Sesko out a bit. He’s still young and he did get better last season, there’s no doubt about that.”
Attention has now swung to the middle of the pitch, where United were repeatedly exposed.
“It feels like the priority this summer has been the middle of the pitch and that area was a problem last season,” Scholes admitted. “I still think it’s a problem, not just from centre midfield but centre half as well because every team that had joy against us, it felt like they were coming straight down the middle because of the lack of pace and mobility in there.”
Andrey Santos is one of the new faces, but Scholes is cautious in his assessment.
“I’ve hardly seen [Andrey] Santos play so you need to give the lad a chance but I still think there might need something else in there.”
Youri Tielemans, another addition, wins praise for his quality on the ball but not for his running power.
“[Youri] Tielemans is a brilliant footballer and can control the game but again athleticism isn’t his strength. I still think there’s a problem down the middle, I still think they need centre-halves.”
That, for Scholes, is where any title talk collapses.
“I don’t think the current ones are of the quality to try and win the Premier League and that‘s where I judge Man United,” he said. “In that position you need players who are reliable every single week but United’s are always picking up injuries.”
He ran through the concerns. Harry Maguire “starting to pick up niggles”. Lisandro Martinez “just can’t stay fit”. Leny Yoro has “struggled a bit over the last two years and it looks like the level is a little bit above him, although he’s still young and he might come on with Ayden Heaven.”
His conclusion is blunt.
“So I still think a big area of the pitch is that spine to make the side more solid and give them more legs and have more reliability at centre half.”
A new challenge for Carrick: the weight of midweek football
Last season, Carrick benefitted from a relatively clear schedule. No midweek European grind. No constant Thursday-Sunday cycle. Scholes thinks that changes everything.
“The thing Michael Carrick is going to have to deal with now as well is midweek football,” he said. “He had an unbelievable run last year but everything was in his favour if you know what I mean.
“Now all of a sudden he’s got these extra games which will have an impact on the squad.”
The demands rise. So does the scrutiny.
Scholes still backs Carrick to reach the very top with United – just not immediately.
“I think Michael Carrick can win the Premier League with Manchester United but it won’t be this season. But if he can build the right team he can do that.”
For now, the new campaign awaits. United open their 2026–27 Premier League season against newly-promoted Hull City at the weekend, eager to prove last year’s surge was the start of something, not a one-off.
Arsenal begin their title defence on Friday night against Coventry City, another side fresh from the Championship.
One club defending, the other still rebuilding. If Carrick finds the spine Scholes is demanding, how long before those roles are reversed?
