Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Michael Carrick will not secure the permanent manager position at Old Trafford, instead tipping his former teammate for a role at Premier League rival Tottenham Hotspur. This comes as Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group, now overseeing football operations at Manchester United, prepares a substantial bid for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, potentially exceeding £80 million, amidst strong competition from other top clubs like Liverpool.
Scholes Predicts Carrick's Next Move
Michael Carrick, currently serving as Manchester United's interim head coach, has enjoyed an impressive start to his tenure, securing victories against Manchester City and Arsenal. Despite this early success, Paul Scholes suggests that the club's past experience with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was given the permanent job after a successful interim spell, will make them hesitant to offer Carrick the role long-term.[teamtalk+5]
Speaking on "The Good, The Bad, & The Football" podcast, Scholes explained that the pressure on an interim manager is different from that on a full-time boss. He stated, "They will be scarred a little bit from the Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] thing." Scholes believes that if Carrick were to compete with a more experienced coach like Thomas Tuchel for the permanent position, there would only be one winner. Fellow pundit Nicky Butt echoed these sentiments, suggesting Carrick is intelligent enough to understand his chances of a permanent role are slim.[manchestereveningnews+9]
Carrick's coaching career began at Manchester United, where he worked under Jose Mourinho and later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He had two previous caretaker stints at the club, including a successful three-match spell in November 2021 after Solskjaer's departure. Following his second caretaker role, Carrick left Manchester United and later took on the head coach position at Championship side Middlesbrough in October 2022, departing by mutual agreement in the summer. Scholes speculates that if Carrick does not get the United job, his next managerial role could be at another of his former clubs, Tottenham Hotspur. "It could be like a Tottenham manager from this [for Carrick]. It wouldn't surprise me," Scholes remarked.[express+8]
INEOS Sets Sights on Adam Wharton
Meanwhile, INEOS, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, is actively pursuing a significant transfer target in Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton. Manchester United is reportedly stepping up its interest in the 21-year-old England star, with INEOS prepared to make a substantial bid. This move is seen as a "statement of intent" by the new regime, aiming to address long-standing deficiencies in the central midfield area. Wharton is considered one of three primary midfield targets for INEOS, as the club anticipates the departure of Casemiro.[teamtalk+3]
Crystal Palace is expected to demand a high fee for Wharton, with figures ranging from £65 million to £80 million, and potentially reaching £100 million if a bidding war ensues. Wharton's current market value is estimated at €60 million, approximately £51 million, as of late 2025. Manchester United is reportedly preparing a bid around £87.5 million for the midfielder.[strettynews+5]
Whartonjoined Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in January 2024 for an initial fee of £18 million, which could rise to £22 million with add-ons. Since then, he has rapidly developed into a key figure for Palace, making 57 appearances and playing an integral role in their FA Cup campaign last season. Scouts have described Wharton as an "ultimate box-to-box hybrid" and a "Modern-Day Gladiator," highlighting his technical ability, passing range, and strong defensive qualities. He averages 2.6 tackles and interceptions per game and wins 56% of his ground duels.[tribalfootball+9]
Several other Premier League heavyweights, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Newcastle United, have also registered their interest in Wharton. Liverpool,in particular, has been noted as the "most aggressive" suitor, and reports suggest Wharton is open to joining the reigning Premier League champions. Wharton has previously expressed his ambition to play Champions League football, stating, "Champions League, if you can play in it, you want to."[footballfancast+10]
The potential transfer would also benefit Blackburn Rovers, who included a 15% sell-on clause in Wharton's initial move to Palace. If Whartonis sold for around £60 million, Blackburn could receive approximately £6 million from the profit. This windfall would significantly boost Rovers' financial capabilities in the transfer market.[express+2]
Managerial Stability and Transfer Ambitions
The dual narrative unfolding at Manchester United highlights both managerial uncertainty and ambitious transfer strategies. While Michael Carrick's strong interim performance has sparked debate, the club's new leadership under INEOS appears focused on securing a long-term, experienced manager and making significant investments in key playing positions. The pursuit of Adam Wharton for a substantial fee underscores INEOS's commitment to rebuilding the squad, even as they navigate a competitive transfer market against other top Premier League clubs. The summer transfer window is expected to be a busy period for Manchester United as they aim to reshape both their dugout and their midfield.
