Michael Carrick's old Man Utd teammate delivers one

Michael Carrick's old Man Utd teammate delivers one-word verdict after Paul Scholes criticism

Bastian Schweinsteiger played with Michael Carrick at Manchester United and has shared his thoughts on his ex-colleague

Former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has shared an encouraging assessment of the impact his former Manchester United team-mate Michael Carrick has made as interim manager at Old Trafford. His remarks follow some critical observations from another former colleague of Carrick's, Paul Scholes.

Schweinsteiger, who featured alongside Carrick between 2015 and 2017, shared a photograph pointing at his fellow midfielder on screen during German television coverage of United's weekend triumph over Aston Villa. "DNA" was his simple caption, an apparent reference to Carrick's continued connection with the club after winning the Premier League and Champions League during his playing career.

Scholes, by contrast, expressed reservations about United's recent showings under Carrick. He acknowledged results have improved since the former Middlesbrough manager replaced Ruben Amorim but felt there was still room for improvement as far as performances are concerned.

"Michael has definitely got something special about him... cos United have been c**p last 4 games. Night," Scholes posted on Instagram following United's defeat to 10-man Newcastle earlier in the month, though he has since clarified those remarks.

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"It was in no way intended to be offensive towards Michael," Scholes explained during an appearance on The Good, The Bad and the Football. "Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football. He'd be the last person you'd want to offend.

"I messaged Michael anyway. I went straight to Michael and said, 'Look, I was never intending to upset you' and I don't think I needed to say that anyway.

"And he told me he wasn't upset by it. I think people have just took 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."

Scholes explained the point he was attempting to make was that sides require a touch of fortune to thrive in the Premier League, referencing previous remarks to the same effect from United's multiple title-winning manager Sir Alex Ferguson. He suggested it is testament to Carrick's influence that the side was still securing results when not performing well.

Third-placed United grabbed another crucial three points on Sunday. Their 3-1 triumph over Aston Villa saw them open up a three-point gap over Unai Emery's side while rivals Liverpool and Chelsea also fell further adrift.

"I was quite happy at half-time, to be honest," Carrick said, referring to the goalless first 45 minutes before Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko found the net. "I thought it was just a tight game. I was not expecting it to be an edge-of-your-seat, all-guns-blazing performance.

"In the second half, we had the players to make the difference. There was only a little spell before they scored where we lost their shape a bit."

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