Paul Scholes vs Michael Carrick: Stats Compared
Central Midfielder, England (born 1974, retired 2013) · Central Midfielder, England (born 1981, retired 2018)
Line up Paul Scholes next to Michael Carrick and the contrasts come quickly. Era matters in any comparison, and these two peaked under very different footballing conditions. Career output puts Paul Scholes at 169 goals in 784 games, with Michael Carrick at 35 in 650. The assist columns read 75 for Paul Scholes and 60 for Michael Carrick where the record exists. In major honours Paul Scholes collected 17 — headlined by 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008) — whereas Michael Carrick amassed 8, led by 5× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013). Paul Scholes belonged to the turn of the millennium, dominating with a incisive quality; Michael Carrick rose in the turn of the millennium with a creative edge. Club journeys add another layer, with Paul Scholes reaching his representative peak around 2008 across Manchester United and Michael Carrick doing so around 2009 with West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United. Greatness, in cases like this, is rarely a zero-sum affair.
163 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Manchester United midfielder renowned for his passing range and vision; two-time Champions League winner.
“A short-sighted, single-touch midfielder whose passing range was unmatched in his generation.”
An understated, exceptionally composed deep-lying midfielder, Carrick was the metronome of Manchester United's midfield through their most successful post-Ferguson-arrival decade.
“A calm, unshowy passer who controlled tempo from deep with excellent range and rarely gave the ball away.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 2× UEFA Champions League (1999, 2008)
- 11× Premier League
- 3× FA Cup (1996, 1999, 2004)
- 1× FIFA Club World Cup (2008)
- 5× Premier League (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013)
- 1× UEFA Champions League (2008)
- 2× League Cup (2009, 2010)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1994 Manchester United debut
- 1996 First Premier League title
- 1999 Treble winner with Manchester United
- 2003 Briefly retired from England duty
- 2008 Second Champions League winner
- 2011 Came out of retirement to help Manchester United
- 2013 Retired for good at Manchester United
- 1999 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 2007 Won Premier League with Manchester United
- 2009 Won League Cup with Manchester United
- 2009 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester United
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Manchester United
- Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 8 major honours. Finished his career with 35 goals in 650 appearances and 8 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Paul Scholes edges the comparison. The margin is a decisive margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Paul Scholes edges it (a decisive margin)
