Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has delivered a scathing assessment of the club’s players after they performed a lap of honour following their disappointing 4-4 draw against Aston Villa.
Scholes believes the post-match gesture has become inappropriate given Manchester United’s difficult circumstances. While acknowledging the importance of maintaining a connection with supporters, the former midfielder questioned why players should celebrate or acknowledge the crowd in such a manner after another disappointing result.
His comments came after United rescued a point with two injury-time goals at Old Trafford on Sunday, November 8, 2026. Despite their late comeback, the result did little to ease the pressure surrounding the club.
Paul Scholes Questions Manchester United’s Lap of Honour Tradition
Manchester United’s players completed a lap of honour after the final whistle against Aston Villa, walking around the pitch while supporters sang Michael Carrick’s name.
However, the gesture did not go down well with several former United players.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes argued that the team should stop performing the routine after disappointing performances.
“One thing they need to do is stop walking around the pitch after games. What is that all about?” Scholes said, as quoted by the Daily Mail on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
The former United midfielder was particularly unhappy with the timing of the gesture, given the team’s poor performances and position in the Premier League standings.
Scholes also made it clear that his criticism was not directed solely at Carrick. He believes the entire team must take responsibility for the situation.
“They were really poor. Not just Michael, but the whole team. It was embarrassing. That sort of thing should only happen after the final game of the season. I feel sorry for them,” he added.
Former United midfielder Nicky Butt shared Scholes’ frustration, admitting that the post-match routine genuinely annoyed him.
Manchester United’s Difficult Situation After Aston Villa Draw
United’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa was a dramatic contest, with the home side showing determination to fight back after falling two goals behind.
Two goals in injury time helped the Red Devils avoid defeat and secure a point in front of their home supporters.
Nevertheless, the comeback could not hide the team’s ongoing problems.
According to the supplied match report, Manchester United were set to remain in the Premier League relegation zone for the following two weeks. The club’s presence in the bottom three also represented its longest spell in that position since 1986.
That context made the players’ lap of honour particularly controversial.
Although the supporters continued to show their backing, the result highlighted the gap between the club’s expectations and its current performances.
Gary Neville Also Criticises the Post-Match Gesture
Scholes was not the only Manchester United legend to question the players’ decision.
Former captain Gary Neville also expressed discomfort with the lap of honour, particularly after the team had failed to win against Bournemouth and then settled for a 4-4 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Speaking to NBC Sports, Neville acknowledged the players’ determination but argued that their defensive mistakes remained a major concern.
He also explained that, although he had always valued the relationship between United players and supporters, the circumstances surrounding the recent matches made the post-match routine difficult to watch.
“I played 602 times for Manchester United and always appreciated the supporters after games. But walking around the pitch after losing to Bournemouth and drawing 4-4 at home against Aston Villa was almost painful to watch as a United fan,” Neville said.
He suggested that the players were making an already difficult emotional situation even harder for themselves.
“It’s almost as if they’re making themselves feel even worse emotionally. This can’t keep happening, can it? It’s really sad,” he added.
Neville’s comments reflected the frustration surrounding United’s current situation, with the club struggling to deliver the performances expected by its supporters.
Michael Carrick Receives Support Despite United’s Problems
Despite the criticism, Neville recognised the emotional significance of the supporters singing Michael Carrick’s name after the Aston Villa match.
He believes Carrick would have appreciated the backing from the stands and would have been proud of his players’ determination to keep fighting until the final whistle.
However, Neville also stressed that the positive reaction from supporters did not change the reality of the team’s disappointing situation.
The contrast was clear: fans continued to show affection for Carrick, while former United players questioned whether the team’s performances justified the post-match celebration.
Pressure Continues to Build at Old Trafford
The criticism from Scholes, Butt and Neville reflects the growing frustration among Manchester United figures over the club’s performances.
The late comeback against Aston Villa demonstrated the players’ willingness to fight, but their defensive weaknesses and disappointing league position remain serious concerns.
For Scholes, the priority should be restoring the standards traditionally associated with Manchester United rather than maintaining post-match routines that appear out of place after poor results.
The message from the former players is clear: respecting supporters remains important, but performances on the pitch must come first.
Until United can deliver more consistent results, even a gesture intended to thank the fans may continue to attract criticism.
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