“I don’t know why we signed him. With such a performance, he has proved that he’s just wasted funds. He has not become a better replacement for the player formerly this position” – Paul Scholes expresses doubts about Manchester United’s decision to sign the £43 million player following their defeat to West Ham.
Paul Scholes criticized Manchester United’s performance, describing them as an “uncoached team” following their disheartening 3-0 defeat against Tottenham, and raised questions about the club’s decision to sign Matthijs de Ligt.
The Red Devils’ struggles in the 2024/25 season continued at Old Trafford, with Tottenham’s Brennan Johnson striking just three minutes into the game, igniting the visiting fans’ enthusiasm.
Bruno Fernandes’ reckless challenge on James Maddison earned him a straight red card in the 42nd minute, compounding United’s woes. In the second half, goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke secured Spurs’ comfortable victory.
This loss pushed United down to 12th place in the Premier League, intensifying the pressure on Erik ten Hag to deliver a positive result in their upcoming match against Aston Villa.
Speaking on SuperSport, Scholes commented, “It’s impossible to predict their approach. There’s no clarity on whether they want to counter-attack, defend deep, or control possession. They look like an uncoached team.”
Reflecting on Tottenham’s structured gameplay, Scholes noted, “From day one, we could see Tottenham’s direction under Ange Postecoglou, and they’ve stuck to it.”
“But for United, two years in, it still feels like an uncoached team,” he continued. “The players seemed drained, lifeless, and uncertain, showing little passion for the game. This kind of energy has to come from the training sessions.”
Scholes went on to criticize United’s recruitment choices, arguing that the £43 million investment in De Ligt does not represent an improvement over Harry Maguire, who has made only two league starts this season.
“When you bring in new players, you expect them to raise the team’s standards,” Scholes said. “I haven’t seen anyone come in and make a substantial impact.”
Asked whether De Ligt justified his £50 million valuation as an upgrade over Maguire, Scholes firmly responded, “No, absolutely not.”
He further urged the United squad to stop “making excuses” and focus on delivering results before the pressure on Ten Hag becomes overwhelming.
“These are experienced players, and they’ve cost the club a lot,” Scholes emphasized. “It’s time to stop with the excuses, hit the training ground, and create a clear way of playing. Show us something!”
