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Paul Scholes set social media alight with his brutally honest post-match verdict following Manchester United's loss to Newcastle. The Old Trafford legend appeared to aim a scathing criticism at former team-mate and current United manager Michael Carrick.

"Michael has definitely got something special about him... cos United have been c**p last four games... night," he wrote on his Instagram Story, which has subsequently been removed. Yet this isn't the first occasion the United great has cast doubt over Carrick, who remains in the dugout at Old Trafford through to the season's conclusion. Back in 2021, Scholes questioned the loyalty of Carrick and fellow coaching staff.

Carrick, Mike Phelan and Kieran McKenna stayed on at the club following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's dismissal. Whilst acknowledging the three were 'good friends', Scholes didn't hold back in expressing his disapproval of their choice.

"I feel with Ole he put a lot of trust into Michael, Kieran (McKenna) and Mike Phelan which is why they shouldn't be at the club now," Scholes said at the time.

"They're all good friends and they're good people but if I was them I'd feel guilty still working at the club after Ole put so much trust in them."

After stepping into the interim position to guide the side following Solskjaer's departure, Carrick faced questions regarding Scholes' remarks. The midfielder, who featured alongside Scholes on 160 occasions, disclosed he'd contacted Solskjaer prior to assuming control.

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"It's been an emotional few days," he said. "The first person I spoke to after Ed (Woodward) offered me the role was Ole. I thought that was the right thing to do."

Carrick has also been in touch with Solskjaer more recently, following his appointment to the United position earlier this year. The former England international indicated their relationship remains strong.

"Yeah, I spoke to him," Carrick said. "I'm close, we've been through a lot together, so he's been fully supportive and as you'd expect.

"He's some man and I respect him an awful lot. He wished us all the best and he was happy that we got the right result."