Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticised the club’s players for continuing their post-match laps of honour, describing the tradition as “embarrassing” following their 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United staged a dramatic comeback after falling two goals behind, scoring twice in injury time to secure a point.
However, the result did little to ease the pressure on the club, which will remain in the Premier League relegation zone for the next two weeks, marking its longest spell in that position since 1986.
After the final whistle, the players walked around the pitch to acknowledge supporters, who responded by chanting interim manager Michael Carrick’s name.
The gesture attracted criticism from several former United players, including Scholes and Gary Neville, who questioned the decision to continue the routine despite the team’s disappointing results.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football, Scholes said the players needed to stop conducting the laps after matches.
“I tell you one thing they have to do, is stop these laps of honour after the game,” he said.
Former United midfielder Nicky Butt also expressed his frustration, saying the practice was getting on his nerves.
Scholes continued: “They are so bad. Not so much Michael, the team as well.
It’s embarrassing. It should be after the last game of the season. I feel sorry for them.”
Neville Says Walks Around Old Trafford Are Painful to Watch
Neville also questioned the players’ decision to walk around the pitch following another disappointing result, describing the routine as increasingly difficult to watch.
Speaking on NBC Sports, the former United captain acknowledged the team’s determination to fight back but criticised the defensive mistakes that had contributed to their position.
He said: “You have got to admire their persistence, they kept going. Defensive errors were shocking and we’ll discuss that shortly. But this lap around the pitch…”
Neville, who made 602 appearances for Manchester United, said he had always valued the relationship between players and supporters but believed the current pattern had become uncomfortable.
He specifically referenced the post-match walks following defeats against Bournemouth and the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.
“I played for Manchester United 602 times and I always appreciated the fans at the end of the game, but this pattern of them walking around the pitch after defeats by Bournemouth and a 4-4 at home against Aston Villa, it’s almost painful to watch.
They’re almost causing themselves emotional damage,” he said.
Neville added that the situation could not continue, describing the club’s circumstances as desperate.
He also acknowledged the supporters’ backing of Carrick, saying the manager would appreciate their support despite the difficult situation facing the team.
Carrick Rejects Suggestion That He Could Walk Away
Following the match, Carrick had a tense exchange with Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davison when questioned about his future at Manchester United.
Davison asked what Carrick expected to happen over the coming weeks, suggesting that the manager could consider walking away if he believed it was the best decision for the club.
Carrick immediately dismissed the possibility, responding: “It’s not going to happen, no.”
When Davison suggested that discussions about his position were likely, Carrick questioned the assumption before the reporter pressed him for his expectations.
Carrick eventually explained that the club understood the problems facing the team, particularly its failure to secure enough victories.
He said he expected the players to continue working on their performances, address their mistakes and start winning matches.
Carrick Remains Confident United Can Turn Their Season Around
At his post-match press conference, Carrick maintained that Manchester United still had enough quality to improve their position before the end of the season.
Asked whether he remained confident in the team’s ability to recover, he replied: “One hundred per cent.”
He acknowledged that goals could change the course of matches and admitted that the team needed to improve significantly in dealing with situations that had repeatedly cost them points.
Carrick said there was enough quality within the squad but that mistakes were making matches unnecessarily difficult.
He also insisted that he understood the direction the club needed to take, adding that the immediate priority was to start winning football matches.
Neville Questions United Ownership Over Carrick’s Future
Meanwhile, Neville has questioned Manchester United’s leadership following fan protests against the club’s ownership on Sunday.
Supporters directed their dissatisfaction towards INEOS and the Glazer family, with the club’s managerial situation also coming under scrutiny.
Neville suggested that United’s hierarchy lacked a clear plan regarding Carrick’s position and warned against continuing to change managers in the hope of finding a solution.
He argued that the club’s history of managerial appointments demonstrated that replacing the manager alone would not resolve its problems.
“You can keep changing the manager and thinking that’s going to be the answer.
But this has been proven now over eight managers in 12 years – that’s not the answer,” Neville said.
He added that Carrick could either leave or remain in his position, but suggested the ownership had yet to determine what to do.
Eight Managers in 12 Years Highlight United’s Leadership Problems
Neville referenced Manchester United’s succession of managers over the past 12 years, naming Ruben Amorim, Erik ten Hag, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Michael Carrick, Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, David Moyes and Ralf Rangnick.
He noted that several of the managers had achieved considerable success elsewhere, while others had been promising young coaches or former United players familiar with the club.
However, he argued that none had been able to deliver the sustained improvement expected at Old Trafford.
According to Neville, the club’s difficulties extended beyond the managerial position and included recruitment, performance management and leadership across its football operations.
He said poor recruitment, an ineffective performance department and a weak recruitment structure would continue to undermine the team.
Neville also stressed the importance of having leadership that works together throughout an organisation, from the ownership and boardroom to the players on the pitch.
He concluded that Manchester United had serious internal problems, pointing to senior positions being occupied by individuals who had never previously performed those particular roles.
