Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, club legend Paul Scholes has raised eyebrows over the recent signing of Matthijs de Ligt. The match saw goals from Brennan Johnson, Dejan Kulusevski, and Dominic Solanke, highlighting defensive frailties that have plagued the Red Devils this season.
United captain Bruno Fernandes’ reckless challenge on James Maddison resulted in a straight red card, further complicating an already challenging situation for the team. Following the match, Scholes took to SuperSport to express his concerns about the club’s summer recruitment strategy, specifically regarding de Ligt’s potential impact.
Scholes compared de Ligt to Harry Maguire, who has only made two starts in the Premier League this season. When asked if de Ligt represented an upgrade over Maguire, Scholes was unequivocal:
“No, absolutely not. When you bring players in, you expect them to be a lot better than who you’ve already got. I don’t see players coming in who are a big difference.”
This criticism underscores a growing sentiment among fans and pundits alike regarding the direction of Manchester United’s squad. With Scholes’ insights, the pressure on the club’s recruitment team and coaching staff continues to mount, as they seek to turn around a lackluster start to the season and build a more competitive side.