LONDON: Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes believes Carlo Ancelotti is the most suitable candidate to take over the club, not Michael Carrick.
United are expected to appoint a new permanent manager this summer after Carrick took over as interim manager replacing Ruben Amorim earlier this year.
The former midfielder has made a brilliant start to his career, recording six wins and one draw in his first seven games – the joint-best record in Premier League history for that period.
Victory over Crystal Palace last weekend strengthened United’s position in the league’s top five as they jumped to third place.
However, Scholes believes Carrick does not have enough experience to lead a club as big as United in their quest for major trophies.
According to him, Ancelotti, who currently manages the Brazilian national team, is the most ideal candidate.
“The most perfect choice out there is Ancelotti. I know he’s a Brazilian coach, but he’s a manager who can make players feel very confident.
“He has experience winning big trophies. The only question is, is he too old now?
“Are there other candidates who are comparable in terms of experience? United need a credible figure as a leader,” he said in an audio broadcast of The Good, The Bad & The Football.
Ancelotti will coach Brazil at this summer’s World Cup, but Scholes hopes United can lure the experienced manager away after the tournament.
Carrick previously managed Championship club Middlesbrough from 2022 to 2025 before returning to Old Trafford as interim manager.
Scholes, who played alongside Carrick 160 times for United and England, admitted his teammate had potential, but questioned his ability to lift the Premier League title.
“The question is, does Michael have enough experience? Managing in the Championship is different from the pressure here.
“We want to see United win the Premier League again. I’m not sure if he can do it yet.
“The club needs to decide, do they want a tactical expert or a manager who is good at managing players? Ole Gunnar (Solskjaer) has the people management touch, but does he have enough experience to win trophies? The same question will arise with Michael,” he said.