Paul Scholes expresses doubts about Manchester United’s decision to sign the £43 million player following their defeat to Newcastle
Paul Scholes delivered a scathing critique of Manchester United, describing them as an “uncoached team” following their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham. The loss marked another low point in what has been a challenging start to the 2024/25 season for the Red Devils. Spurs took the lead within three minutes through Brennan Johnson, igniting the visitors’ fans at Old Trafford.
United’s woes deepened when Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the 42nd minute for a reckless challenge on James Maddison. Tottenham capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke adding second-half goals to complete the rout. The defeat left United languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, intensifying the pressure on Erik ten Hag ahead of their upcoming match against Aston Villa.
Speaking on SuperSport, Scholes expressed frustration with United’s lack of identity, stating it was impossible to discern their style of play. He pointed out that Tottenham, under Ange Postecoglou, had established a clear system from the outset, while United remained disorganized despite Ten Hag’s tenure exceeding two years. Scholes described the team as flat and directionless, attributing their lack of energy and cohesion to deficiencies in training.
The former United midfielder also questioned the club’s recruitment strategy, singling out summer signing Matthijs de Ligt, acquired for £43 million, as a prime example. Scholes argued that De Ligt had failed to demonstrate he was an upgrade over Harry Maguire, who has been largely sidelined this season. When asked whether De Ligt justified his price tag or offered significant improvement over Maguire, Scholes emphatically dismissed the notion.
Scholes called for the players to take responsibility, urging them to end the cycle of excuses and commit to improving their performances on the pitch. He emphasized the need for a defined style of play, warning that without immediate progress, the situation could jeopardize Ten Hag’s position at the helm.
