Manchester United: Paul Scholes calls for a defensive overhaul

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Paul Scholes has not minced his words about Manchester United’s defence. As the Red Devils endure a difficult start to the season, the former midfielder believes the recruitment has been insufficient and that the main area requiring work is now the back line. He notably launched strong criticism at Lisandro Martínez after the draw against Tottenham.

Scholes questions the recruitment

Manchester United occupy a disappointing position in the Premier League and have endured a string of negative results. Criticism is mounting around Michael Carrick’s team, but Scholes believes the difficulties go beyond the manager’s sole responsibility. On the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football, the former England international expressed his doubts about the club’s latest signings:

We talk a lot about recruitment, don’t we? The aim is to improve the team. A player like Elliot Anderson would make it better, but I’m not certain that the players who have actually been signed will improve it.

During the summer, Manchester United notably strengthened their midfield with Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. For Scholes, however, these investments do not solve the team’s priority problem: its defence.

“You will never win the Premier League with them”

The former player believes the club’s decision-makers must rebuild a defensive line that, in his view, has not evolved enough in recent years:

We have had the same centre-backs for two or three years and we know it is impossible to win trophies with them. You will never win the Premier League with these players.

Lisandro Martínez was particularly targeted after the match against Tottenham, during which Manchester United conceded an equaliser in the final minutes.

Martínez, that is simply unforgivable. The way he let them score that goal is incredible. Manchester United need a new back four. They need a new back four.

These comments reflect his conviction that the problem is structural and that a simple tactical adjustment will not be enough to solve it.

Aliou Toundé |

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