Carrick on Scholes criticism, Mount and Villa test

Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick has dismissed Paul Scholes’ Instagram swipe at the club’s recent form, insisting the social-media post is “nothing really” ahead of Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa.

Scholes, Carrick’s former Old Trafford team-mate, wrote that United had been “[expletive] last four games”, a sequence that ended with last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle – Carrick’s first loss since taking temporary charge. Speaking at Friday’s media briefing, Carrick urged calm: “That is just where we are in terms of social media and captions and quotes that can be taken in different ways.”

The 14:00 GMT kick-off against Villa offers an immediate opportunity to respond, and Carrick confirmed Mason Mount could re-enter contention after a brief return to training. “He is not 100 per cent and has only trained for a small period of time,” the manager cautioned, while ruling out any other injury comebacks.

Harry Maguire’s resurgence has caught Carrick’s eye. “He has put himself back in the [England] frame, if he was ever out of it,” he said of the centre-half’s recent displays. Teenage striker JJ Gabriel, 15, will not be rushed onto the teamsheet—“too young,” Carrick stated—though the boss labelled the academy prospect “a big talent and doing really well.”

Reflecting on the Newcastle setback, Carrick admitted “it was disappointing” but stressed the squad have “digested that, looked at it, learned from it” and trained sharply this week. “The boys are itching to get going,” he added.

Villa arrive level on points with United in the top-four race, and Carrick expects a stern examination. “They were always going to be a test,” he said. “The first defeat feels different but it was going to come at some point. It has been a really good week in many ways and we have put ourselves in a position where there is an awful lot to play for.”

Carrick knows Villa’s in-form Morgan Rogers well, having overseen the attacking midfielder at Middlesbrough. “It’s fantastic to see Rogers going on to do so well,” he said, recalling uncertainty around the 2023 transfer from Blackpool. He also praised Jadon Sancho—on loan at Villa from United—for showing “the talent” that is earning plaudits at Villa Park.

BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website will provide live radio commentary of Sunday’s encounter.