Michael Carrick names his greatest Manchester United team-mate ...and it’s not Cristiano Ronaldo

Michael Carrick has declared Paul Scholes his greatest Manchester United team-mate – even ahead of the returning Cristiano Ronaldo.

Old Trafford legend and outspoken pundit Scholes has been scathing in his criticism of Jose Mourinho this season – describing the 55-year-old as an embarrassment to the club.

But he remains Carrick’s ultimate icon at United – claiming he would have graced the greatest teams in world football.

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford on Tuesday for only the second time since leaving the club for Real Madrid in 2009.

And despite winning five Ballon d’Ors and inspiring Real to four Champions League triumphs – Scholes still has the edge according to Carrick.

“I always say Scholesy,” the United coach told Standard Sport. “Even though people say ‘You played with Ronaldo, what are you talking about?’

“I get that. There was (Ryan) Giggsy, Wazza (Wayne Rooney), Rio (Ferdinand), I could go on for a while. But I had a great relationship with Scholesy, playing so close with him as a partner for so long.

“I just loved playing with him, he was an absolute pleasure to play with and he was a genius at what he did. I always say when anyone asks (who’s the best) I always say Scholesy.”

Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, the Champions League, World Club Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups in six years at United.

He also won his first Ballon d’Or under Sir Alex Ferguson before his then-world record £80m move to Real.

He went on to even great heights at the Bernabeu – establishing himself as one of the finest players of all time as he inspired the Spanish giants to an unprecedented run of success in the Champions League.

Carrick believes Scholes would have thrived in Spain, too – claiming the former England midfielder would have been at home in what he considers the greatest team of all time, Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Barcelona.

“I wouldn’t even need to think twice,” he added. “He could play in any team, which is why it baffles me when he was made to play on the left hand side of the England team for large parts. But he could play in any team in the world.”