Manchester United legend Paul Scholes isn’t convinced the club’s upcoming All or Nothing documentary is a slam dunk for everyone involved. While fans might be salivating at the prospect of behind-the-scenes access, the former midfielder believes the real burden could fall squarely on manager Michael Carrick and his squad.
On Monday, United announced that Amazon Prime would chronicle their 2026/27 season as part of the popular docuseries, making them the fourth Premier League club to sign on after Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester City. The cameras will follow Carrick and his players from preseason through the entire campaign, with the series expected to debut in the summer of 2027 across more than 240 countries. The club has claimed they negotiated a record fee for any football club documentary, surpassing what Amazon previously paid.
The decision represents a dramatic about-face from just a few years ago. Back then, under former manager Ruben Amorim, United reportedly turned down a similar offer worth over £10 million from Amazon. Amorim was said to be firmly opposed, believing the constant camera presence would be more disruptive than beneficial. Now, with Carrick at the helm and the team trending upward — including a long-awaited return to the Champions League — the timing feels different. Many inside the club view this as a golden opportunity to showcase positive momentum.
Scholes, however, sees a potential downside. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, he acknowledged the entertainment value for fans but warned that the manager and players might find it an unwelcome distraction.
“Yeah probably,” Scholes said when asked if the series would pile more pressure on Carrick. “But do you know what, for a fan they are brilliant to watch. I watched the Arsenal one. Not for a player, the players and the manager probably won’t like it, but for fans watching… City did it as well with Pep. It’s amazing watching people like Arteta, what he’s like. You learn a lot of stuff. As a player I can’t think of anything worse.”
Scholes’ comment cuts to a tension that has followed every football club that has opened its doors to a documentary crew. For supporters, it’s a voyeuristic thrill — a chance to see tactical meetings, halftime rants, and the raw emotion of a dressing room. But for those actually living through it, the cameras can feel like an extra weight in an already high-pressure environment. Arsenal’s All or Nothing installment famously captured Mikel Arteta’s intense personality, but it also coincided with a season that ended in disappointment. Manchester City’s version under Pep Guardiola showed a machine-like operation but also fueled speculation about added scrutiny.
Whether United’s documentary will be a celebration of resurgence or a pressure cooker remains to be seen. For now, the club is betting that the record fee and the global exposure outweigh any potential headaches. But with a legend like Scholes sounding the alarm, Carrick and his players might want to practice their smiles for the cameras now.
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