Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has insisted that Ruben Amorim’s side do not have the quality to return to the top level.
The Red Devils have failed to impress in the first four matches of the Premier League and have also been dumped out of the Carabao Cup. Amorim who led United to 15th-placed finish in the Premier League last season and also losing 1-0 to Tottenham in the Europa League final is under intense pressure from fans.
With losses recorded against Arsenal and Man City to follow up a narrow victory against Burnley and a 2-2 draw with Fulham, some fans believe it’s time Amorim is shown the exit door.
Sharing his thoughts on the look of things, Scholes, who made 499 appearances for the club over two spells, also believes that his former side committed a “criminal offence” in the transfer window just gone, as they missed out on a certain player who was signed by their rivals.
Leny Yoro and Bruno Fernandes react after Phil Foden of Manchester City (not pictured) scored their teams first goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“I don’t think the quality is there,” Scholes said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Whatever two out of the four or five they have got in [midfield] – Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo – whatever combination he seems to try doesn’t seem to work.
“That’s a big issue. I thought all summer the absolute priority was a central midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game.
“Goalkeeper was [also] a major issue. Did they really need to get to the Grimsby game to realise [Andre] Onana is not good enough?
“If Manchester United were not in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is a criminal offence.
“The recruitment side went to buy forwards. That did need addressing, but did it need three of them? I’m not sure it did.”
In last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Man City, Donnarumma, making his debut for Pep Guardiola’s side after his move from Paris Saint-Germain, produced a superb performance, with a major highlight being his fingertip save to deny Bryan Mbeumo.
United were active during the summer transfer window as they invested heavily into four signings, landing Matheus Cunha, Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Senne Lammens.
The club also sanctioned the departure of unwanted players, with the ‘bomb-squad’ alienated by Amorim almost departed, as Jadon Sancho joined Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford moved to Barcelona, Antony made his move to Real Betis permanent, and Alejandro Garnacho was sold to Chelsea for £40million.
Tyrell Malacia, the left-back, was the only one not to find himself a new club. Andre Onana was a late departure, moving on loan to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor having not started in the league all term.
