Tuesday, 10 March 2026
PAUL SCHOLES SHARES MICHAEL CARRICK TEXT MESSAGE AFTER SPARKING MAN UTD BACKLASH
Paul Scholes has clarified his Instagram story was not intended as a dig at Manchester United boss Michael Carrick.
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| Paul Scholes speaking on his podcast (Image: YouTube/The Good, the Bad and the Football Podcast) |
Paul Scholes has insisted that the remarks he posted on an Instagram story last week were never meant as criticism of Michael Carrick, and says the Manchester United head coach took no offence after the pair discussed the matter privately. The former midfielder, 51, sparked controversy on social media after Carrick's side lost at Newcastle last Wednesday.
In an Instagram story, a written message from Scholes stated: "Michael has definitely got something about him...cos United have been crap last 4 games...night." Many interpreted Scholes' remarks as an attack on Carrick, who has presided over a significant upturn in form since replacing Ruben Amorim. The Newcastle loss represented his first setback since succeeding Amorim. Among those taken aback was Patrice Evra, with the former United left-back suggesting he hoped Scholes had been 'hacked'.
However, Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, clarified matters on Monday following the criticism that he faced for his comment.
He said: "It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael. Michael's one of the nicest people in football, he would be the last person I want to offend.
"I messaged Michael anyway. I went straight to him and said 'Look I had no intention of upsetting you'. I don't think I needed to say that anyway, and he told me himself he wasn't upset by it.
"I think people have just taken it differently from what was meant. The only thing I was saying was that I don't think they played that well the last four games and he's still managing to get results.
"We had the greatest manager in the world and he always said sometimes you need a bit of luck. So with sending-offs and different things that happen through games, sometimes you do need a bit of luck, that's all I was saying."
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| Michael Carrick has won six and lost one of his eight games in charge this season (Image: Getty Images) |
The loss against the 10-man Magpies represents the sole blemish on Carrick's record since taking charge of United in mid-January. He appeared equally frustrated as Scholes following the 2-1 defeat at St James' Park.
"We're not happy with the way we played the game. The way it panned out, it was in our hands largely, but credit to Newcastle," he remarked afterwards.
"We navigated to be in a position where we felt we should kick on. We didn't, really, so bitterly disappointed. I don't think it was the 10 men, we just didn't play good enough and we can't make excuses."
- Dan Marsh
JOEY BURTON ARRESTED AFTER ASSAULT NEAR GOLF CLUB
Former footballer Joey Barton has been arrested as well as a second suspect after a man was assaulted near a golf club.
It happened on Sunday at 21:00 GMT in Fairway, near Huyton and Prescot Golf Club on Merseyside.
Officers arrived at the scene and found a man with injuries to his face and ribs, Merseyside Police said.
A 50-year-old man and a 43-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of wounding. Both men remain in custody for questioning.
Police said the victim was taken to hospital for assessment of injuries to his face and ribs.
Barton played for clubs including Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers, Burnley and Rangers.
The midfielder then moved into management after his retirement from playing football in 2017.
- Lauren Hirst
JOAN LAPORTA DEFENDS ALEJANDRO ECHEVARRIA, ' DOES NOT FEAR' LIONEL MESSI SPEAKING ABOUT FAILED BARCELONA RETURN
Barcelona President Joan Laporta has moved to defend advisor Alejandro Echevarria, and given his version of events regarding the failed return of Lionel Messi in 2023. The Catalan side were in talks over bringing back Messi, but during an interview on Sunday night, then manager Xavi Hernandez claimed that Laporta sabotaged his return.
During an election debate on Monday morning with fellow presidential candidate Victor Font, Laporta put Xavi’s comments down to bitterness, due to the fact that Hansi Flick was enjoying more success than him currently. Speaking to Cadena Cope on Monday night, Laporta said that the decision not to return was purely down to Messi.
“What hurts me the most is that Mr. Font has used a Barcelona legend like Xavi. I don’t quite understand why Xavi is saying that about Messi. It seemed like things were going to happen after his time at PSG; I gave him a draft contract, he came to my house and said they had decided they would be better off in Miami. And that was that. Bringing this up now only serves to muddy the waters of the elections.”
Laporta ‘does not fear’ Messi explanation
So far Messi has remained relatively opaque about his return, admitting that there were conversations, but noting that he was told Barcelona had to sell players in order to make the deal happen. La Liga President Javier Tebas claims that the league did not approve Messi’s return in terms of the salary limit situation, while Laporta’s version differs from both.
“We were just barely within the fair play requirements. The contract was sent to Jorge (Messi), and while waiting for his response, May arrived. At the end of the month, he told me they had decided on Inter Miami. And that’s how it ended. I don’t fear Messi or Jorge speaking out. I’m convinced they would tell the same story. We’ve always understood each other; I don’t think the story would change. We don’t want to distract from what matters to the Barca fans. We choose the people we want to represent us for the next five years. Xavi’s involvement adds nothing.”
Alejandro Echevarria ‘one of the best people I know’
Meanwhile another focus of Xavi’s interview was the role of advisor Alejandro Echevarria. Originally part of Laporta’s board during his first term, Echevarria resigned in 2005 after it became public knowledge that he was a patron of the Francisco Franco Foundation, which promotes the ‘work’ of the former Spanish dictator. He has returned to the club under Laporta, but has no official role.
“Alejandro works for the club; he’s completely trustworthy, especially regarding RFEF and La Liga matters. He’s always looking out for the balance in the dressing room. He’s one of the best people I know – intelligent, brave, and honest. He has those qualities. I have Masip, and Alejandro. Some people get paid, but Alejandro, for example, doesn’t. He has his own professional life and can be exempt from this. I’ve had advisors like Johan, who was my idol, and we had a great rapport.”
The former Blaugrana midfielder claims that Echevarria, Laporta’s ex-brother-in-law, has as much control as the former president himself, and that it was Echevarria that engineered his sacking.
“It’s not about who’s in charge. It’s my turn to lead, and I lead willingly, making decisions after considering the opinions of those around me. They want to cause harm; it’s a deliberate attempt to hurt me by attacking someone else. It’s despicable because if we look at how Xavi’s services were dismissed, Yuste and Alejandro were his staunchest defenders. They stuck it out through the indefensible. We said that things weren’t working anymore. I had to be the one to say it was over. I did it with a heavy heart; I appreciate Xavi, and I still do. If I saw him, I would try to understand why he did it.”
Elections are scheduled for this Sunday in Barcelona, where one of Font or Laporta will be elected as president for a five-year term. The latter is running for his fourth mandate.
- Ruairidh Barlow
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