Paul Scholes believes Carrick was let down by Manchester United's hierarchy during an "unambitious" summer transfer window.

Manchester United has won just one of its opening five matches this season, a 5-2 victory over newly promoted Ipswich. Beyond that, the club lost to Hull City and Manchester City, drew with Everton and Fulham, and was eliminated from the League Cup in its first match.

Manchester United made minimal moves in the transfer market this summer. After Casemiro left for Inter Miami, Ugarte was sidelined by injury and deemed not strong enough. Elliot Anderson and Matheus Fernandes were Carrick's primary midfield targets. However, Anderson moved to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest for £116 million, while Fernandes chose Tottenham Hotspur for £85 million over Manchester United.

The club also considered Tonali and Guimarães but ultimately withdrew due to their high asking prices. Both subsequently joined Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal for £92.5 million and £75 million, respectively.

Manchester United eventually signed Moisés Caicedo for £70 million, though the midfielder arrived with an ankle injury and has yet to play. André Santos joined for £48 million but has started just once, Youri Tielemans arrived for £35 million, and Dalot joined on a free transfer.

Carrick also wanted to bring in a new left-back to provide rotation for the 31-year-old Luke Shaw and find a long-term successor, but the club failed to deliver either option.

Manchester United legend Scholes expressed concern over the club's current situation, with the team sitting 12th after five matches. He said on the podcast "The Overlap": "It pains me to say it, but Manchester United is no longer a club that buys players to compete for titles."

"Santos, Caicedo—the players they've brought in are perhaps physically stronger. Santos played 11 matches for Chelsea and they spent £50 million on him."

"But he couldn't break into the team. Now Caicedo might bring some change. However, if you're Manchester United at the start of the season making signings, you should be buying players you believe can help you win the league. I think they're well off the pace."

"I think they're just trying to build on the foundation Michael laid last year, which is difficult to understand. Was Manchester United buying Elliot Anderson back then? Probably. That kind of signing would make you think the team could improve significantly. The players they've brought in haven't improved the team."

The striker position appeared to be a particular concern for Scholes and podcast co-host Nicky Butt. Manchester United was willing to sell striker Joshua Zirkzee this summer, but the deal ultimately fell through.

Carrick has been reluctant to use the Dutch forward during the absence of Sesko, and Zirkzee has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League so far, with Cunha deployed in the central striker role.

Butt said: "Putting Cunha at number 9 is wasting him; he's not a centre-forward. He's a completely different player compared to when he plays on the wing. Besides Sesko, we don't have a true number 9. Zirkzee doesn't look like the centre-forward Manchester United should have. How can Manchester United rely on just one centre-forward?"

Carrick led Manchester United to third place in the Premier League last season, and both Scholes and Butt believe the manager was let down by the club's hierarchy.

Scholes said: "Michael must be very disappointed with what happened this summer. I think behind the scenes, he'll feel let down. Michael did an incredibly good job last year."

"For Michael, the most important moment is the start of this season. These matches are when you set your benchmark and lay the foundations for the entire campaign."

Since INEOS and Ratcliffe took over football operations in February 2024, Manchester United has sacked two managers. Ten Hag was dismissed in October 2024, just three months after signing a new contract. His successor, Amorim, was sacked in January this year after 14 months in charge.

Butt said: "As a fan, what frustrates me most is that I no longer feel 'we're going to win this match.' Who else can you blame? In my opinion, you have to point at those at the top who are responsible for hiring managers, players, and coaching staff."

"I don't understand it. CEO Berrada said they'd win the league by 2028. At this rate, there's no chance—not a million to one."

"I'm not trying to completely tear them apart, but it has to be said—they came in and gave Ten Hag extra years on his contract, and that didn't work. Then they brought in two other managers, and it still hasn't worked."

"A serious question needs to be asked: Is there something wrong with the club's off-field operations and recruitment, and is that problem bleeding onto the pitch? I think that's a major issue."

Scholes added: "I don't think we can keep blaming the manager. We can't keep changing managers like this. There's a lot of responsibility in the transfers, especially after this summer."

"Are they even looking at these top targets like Rodri and Anderson? I feel like they're just buying to buy. It seems like they're accepting third, fourth, or fifth-tier signings, which isn't good enough. I'd rather save the money and say, 'Look, we can find people from the academy who can do these things.'"

Traducido por IA.

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