Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has been a vocal critic of several players at Old Trafford, but remarkably, only one individual among those he has recently singled out for criticism has actually left the club. Scholes, known for his no-nonsense analysis, has frequently voiced concerns about player attitudes and performances, offering his unvarnished opinions on the team’s struggles.
Scholes’ Scrutiny of Manchester United Players
During the recent transfer window, Manchester United saw significant incomings, particularly in midfield and goalkeeper positions, alongside several departures. However, the landscape of player movement has seen minimal impact from Scholes’ public critiques. Casemiro, who departed for Inter Miami on a free transfer, stands as the sole player from Scholes’ list of criticized individuals to have left the club.
Bruno Fernandes’ Post-Match Comments and Scholes’ Response
Following a Premier League opener defeat against Hull City, captain Bruno Fernandes expressed his disappointment with his teammates’ performance, citing a lack of pressing and excessive ball possession given away. He told TNT Sports, “Same mistakes as we did last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to them. In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper was the one with the most touches.” Fernandes added, “We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment.”
However, Paul Scholes suggested that Fernandes should introspect before criticizing others. Speaking on ‘The Good, The Bad and The Football,’ Scholes remarked, “When you perform the way he did as well, I think it’s probably best to keep your mouth shut, because he didn’t have his best performance either.”
Lisandro Martinez’s Direct Challenge to Scholes
After a Manchester derby victory in January, defender Lisandro Martinez directly addressed Scholes’ criticisms, which had been aired on his podcast. Martinez stated, “Honestly, he can say whatever he wants. I told him already, if he wants to say something to me, he can come to me wherever he wants. To my house, wherever. I don’t care.”
Scholes responded by emphasizing the need for consistency from Martinez, acknowledging his strong performance against City but cautioning against premature declarations. He commented, “It fuels people. I think we have to take a bit of the credit for Martinez’s performance on Saturday.” However, he added a warning: “He’s had one brilliant game, but when you start talking and shouting your mouth off, this game has a habit of coming and biting you back on the a***. I haven’t changed my opinion yet. I’m still not sure you can win a league with him. He’s got to do it over a period of time. What he did on Saturday, brilliant, but you’ve got to do it over a period of time.”
Luke Shaw’s Preparation Remarks and Scholes’ Reaction
In the aftermath of the Hull City loss, Luke Shaw’s comments suggesting the team could have been better prepared were noted. This prompted a strong reaction from Scholes, who felt such statements undermined the coaching staff. “Luke Shaw always says something,” Scholes stated, adding, “That’s a slight on your staff, that’s a slight on your manager. If one of your players was saying that, f***ing hell you’d have him in Monday morning wouldn’t you, ‘What do you mean by that?'”
Marcus Rashford’s Attitude Under Fire
Scholes has previously criticized Marcus Rashford’s attitude, particularly during his loan spell at Barcelona last season. He voiced his strong disapproval, saying, “I really struggle to feel happy for Marcus Rashford, mainly because of his attitude. His attitude towards Man United towards the end was disgraceful. The amount of times I saw him walking because he wanted to leave… his whole demeanour about him was a disgrace. I think he quit on United. When you quit once, you’ll quit again.” Scholes also questioned Rashford’s punctuality, noting, “He was late last night [for Barcelona]. He won’t get away with that for long at Barca. There’s absolutely no chance. How can you sleep in these days?”
Athleticism Concerns for Maguire, Shaw, and Casemiro
Paul Scholes expressed concerns regarding the physical attributes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro, suggesting they might lack the necessary athleticism for the Premier League’s demands. “Shaw, Maguire, Casemiro, they’ve all been great players but they’re at a stage of their career now where you get found out in the Premier League if you’re not physically good enough,” Scholes explained. He elaborated, “Their bodies are not athletic enough, they’re not strong enough, they’re not quick enough. They’ve dropped to a level where they can’t cope with what’s needed in the Premier League.” As noted, Casemiro is the only player from this group who has since departed.
Leny Yoro’s Potential and Scholes’ Doubts
On ‘The Overlap Fan Debate,’ Scholes questioned Leny Yoro’s suitability for top-flight football, suggesting that a fit Mathijs de Ligt would be a superior option. “Centre-halves are still a problem; Manchester United still need better centre-halves,” Scholes stated. “You need centre-backs who are reliable every single week. We’ve got Maguire, who has started to pick up some [injury] niggles, Lisandro Martinez – the lad just can’t stay fit now. When he’s fit, he is a good player, don’t get me wrong.” He continued, “They’ve got Leny Yoro, who has struggled over the last two years – it looks like the [Premier League] level is above him and [hopefully] he might come on [a bit this season]. If De Ligt is fit and playing every week, he’s possibly Manchester United’s best centre-half. But again, that’s a question mark against centre-halves. You can’t have those question marks.”
Noussair Mazraoui’s System Fit
Noussair Mazraoui also faced Scholes’ scrutiny, with the former England international questioning his fit within the team’s tactical system. Scholes argued, “I don’t know exactly where his position is; he has been used as a right-sided centre-back at times. I don’t think he fits the team’s current system, and perhaps it is time for him to leave to make way for more specialised options.”
Other Players Mentioned: Dorgu, Ugarte, Mount, and Zirkzee
The list of players who have drawn Scholes’ attention also includes Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Joshua Zirkzee. While some of these players were reportedly considered for transfer, external factors like injuries and failed negotiations impacted their potential exits. Scholes indicated that these four would have been among his priority sales.
Regarding Dorgu, Scholes commented, “They brought him in as a wing-back and he’s not really played there. I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him, then he’s just a squad player.” On Mason Mount, despite acknowledging his talent, Scholes expressed reservations due to persistent injury issues and competition for places: “I’d probably sell him – and I like him, he’s a great footballer. But he’s never going to play in front of Bruno Fernandes. I’m not sure what other position he could play and he doesn’t play enough games.” Scholes also identified Zirkzee and Ugarte as potential candidates for a summer move, with Ugarte being the more likely to depart, stating, “I think he’ll go.”
Conclusion: A Singular Departure Amidst Criticism
Despite Paul Scholes’ consistent and often sharp critiques of numerous Manchester United players regarding their performances, attitudes, and suitability for the club, the actual turnover of these individuals has been minimal. Casemiro’s departure remains the sole instance of a player facing Scholes’ public disapproval subsequently leaving Old Trafford, highlighting a disconnect between the pundit’s assessments and the club’s transfer decisions.
