Paul Scholes takes dig at Michael Carrick after Man Utd's defeat to Newcastle

Michael Carrick during Man Utd’s defeat to Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

Paul Scholes aimed a dig at caretaker manager Michael Carrick after Manchester United ’s Premier League defeat to Newcastle United .

Carrick suffered his first defeat since returning to Old Trafford as his United team were beaten 2-1 at St James’ Park .

Newcastle looked set for a difficult evening when Jacob Ramsey was sent off in the first half but the hosts then took the lead through Anthony Gordon ’s penalty.

United were not behind for long, however, and equalised on the stroke of half-time through Casemiro’s header.

The Red Devils, unbeaten since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January , were expected to make their numerical advantage count in the second half but were frustrated by a spirited Newcastle.

A stalemate looked inevitable until substitute William Osula curled home a brilliant goal to earn ten-man Newcastle a dramatic 2-1 win.

The victory sends Eddie Howe’s side up one place into 12th while Manchester United stay third, level on points with Aston Villa who lost 4-1 to Chelsea.

Newcastle beat Man Utd 2-1 at St James’ Park (Picture: Getty)

A number of pundits and a large section of United fans have been calling for Carrick to be given the job permanently following his impressive impact on the team.

Manchester United legend Scholes has voiced his concerns about his former teammate getting the job, however, and recently named Carlo Ancelotti as the ‘perfect’ candidate .

Taking to Instagram following United’s defeat at St James’ Park, Scholes said: ‘Michael has definitely got something special about him… cos Utd have been crap last 4 games… night.’

Scholes after Man Utd’s defeat (Picture: Instagram)

Carrick said he was ‘bitterly disappointed’ after Manchester United suffered their first Premier League defeat since January.

‘We are not happy the way we played tonight,’ he said. ‘The way the game panned out we had it in our hands largely but credit to Newcastle and they way they approached it.

‘We knew it would be tough but we navigated the game to a position where we could kick on but we didn’t. Bitterly disappointed really.

The Man Utd players following their defeat to Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

‘I don’t think it was the 10 men, we just didn’t play good enough. We can’t make excuses for that. We all take responsibility for that.

‘It was just the quality of the performance, it wasn’t character or wanting to win, it’s easy to throw that just because you don’t win a game of football.

‘Newcastle deserved to win tonight, it hurts me to say that. That is how it was. We need to get back to work and be better for the next game.

‘We’ve lost one game, we haven’t played well enough but in the grand scheme of things we are in a decent position. Tonight hurts but we will be better for the next one.

"You don't want a media pile on saying he's not the man for the job. It's just one defeat"Shay Given defends Michael Carrick following Man United’s unbeaten run coming to an end 🤝🎙 @lynseyhipgrave1 | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/sxAqjeJUzv — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 4, 2026

‘You have to get back at it, work hard and do the things we did to win the games we’ve won. We can do that, we are a good team, tonight wasn’t for us.

‘We have to learn from it and get better for it. We had a lot of praise lately and the boys deserve it, this doesn’t change how we approach the next game. We’ve got everything to play for.’

Red Devils goalkeeper Senne Lammens added: ‘It was nowhere near good enough.

‘We scored our goal just before half-time and it was really important to give us a good feeling going into half time.

‘When we step out on the pitch for the second half it needs to be better, I think our mentality needs to be better. In every aspect it was not our game today.

‘I’m not sure what we were lacking. Every team has those games, but you can’t put it like that you always have to perform, especially here.’

Manchester United now have the weekend off but return to Premier League action on March 15 against top-four rivals Aston Villa.

Newcastle, meanwhile, face Manchester City in the FA Cup this weekend before a huge Champions League knockout game against Barcelona .