Carrick Responds to Scholes' Criticism Before Villa Match

Michael Carrick, the interim manager of Manchester United, addressed criticism from former teammate Paul Scholes ahead of their Premier League clash against Aston Villa. Scholes had made a sarcastic remark on Instagram, suggesting that Carrick's team had been underperforming.

In a pre-match press conference on Friday, Carrick downplayed the criticism, stating that differing opinions are common on social media and that he does not consider it a significant issue. Manchester United is currently in third place in the league, preparing to host Aston Villa, who are just behind them in the standings.

Carrick reflected on the team's inconsistent form following a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle earlier in the month and acknowledged the challenges of competing in the league. He expressed excitement about the upcoming match at Old Trafford and confirmed that midfielder Mason Mount is sidelined for two months but is making progress in his recovery.