Manchester United legend sends message to Michael Carrick after social media dig

JAKARTA - Paul Scholes insists he did not mean to offend former teammate Michael Carrick after a social media dig at the Manchester United manager last week.

Scholes wrote that Michael clearly had something special, (because) Manchester United performed poorly in the last four matches, shortly after the Red Devils lost 1-2 at Newcastle United's home.

Despite losing, the first defeat since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim, Manchester United are third in the Premier League table and competing for Champions League qualification.

"Michael is one of the nicest people you will ever meet in football. He is the last person I would want to offend."

"I still sent a message to Michael. I immediately contacted Michael and said that I never meant to upset him."

"I guess I don't need to say it. He himself told me that he was not upset about it. I think people just interpreted it differently than I meant it."

"The only thing I would say is I don't think they've played that well in the last four games. He still managed to get results," Scholes said in response to criticism for his comments on the GoodBadFootball podcast.

Scholes' comments were criticised by another former Manchester United player, Patrice Evra, who also criticised the negative attitude of fellow commentators Roy Keane and Gary Neville.

"It makes me angry because we want to be in the top four. Those comments are unnecessary, but this is what you do when you work on TV."

"You can't be positive, you have to be negative," Evra said.