Paul Scholes Claims Two Players Will Stop Man Utd From ‘Ever Winning the Premier League’

Former player and now pundit Paul Scholes has bluntly claimed two players will stop Manchester United from ‘ever’ winning the Premier League.

It’s been over 13 years since the Red Devils last lifted the title, doing so in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season at Old Trafford. Almost every new summer since has brought renewed optimism of a real title-push, which has quickly faded.

Under Michael Carrick, that pattern has repeated. After guiding Man Utd to a third-place finish last term as interim manager, the Englishman was then hired permanently. However, his side has six points from their opening six Premier League games so far, making for their worst start to a campaign in 40 years.

Scholes Slams Carrick’s Defensive Duo

It was a particularly poor showing from the Red Devils on the weekend, as Carrick’s side hosted Tottenham Hotspur. Although Spurs came into the match sitting bottom of the league table, they largely outplayed their opponents.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men passed up a number of key opportunities, though, and this came back to haunt them as Man Utd took a lead through Bryan Mbeumo in the 73rd minute. The three points then looked certain when Rodrigo Bentancur was sent off just five minutes later after clashing with Luke Shaw.

However, the hosts failed to hold onto their lead, conceding in the 92nd minute as Dominic Solanke made it 1-1.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes was critical of the display, saying: “Tottenham were bottom of the league ahead of the game on Saturday and they absolutely ran all over Manchester United.

“We talk a lot about recruitment, don’t we? The idea is to make your team better and someone like [Manchester City summer signing] Elliot Anderson would make them better, but I’m not sure the players they brought in make them better.”

He claimed the Man Utd centre-back partnership of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez simply isn’t good enough to win a league title, explaining:

Maguire and Martinez Yet To Keep A League Clean Sheet This Season

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

It does appear as though Maguire and Martinez are Carrick’s preferred centre-back duo for this season. They’ve started every league game of the season together, apart from the opening weekend defeat to Hull City.

The pair are yet to keep a clean sheet across those five games, however, with seven goals conceded in a spell which has seen just one victory.

The likes of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven could provide alternative options if Carrick does want to mix things up, while Matthijs de Ligt has not played this term after undergoing back surgery.

Scholes, however, seems to think the entire backline could do with rejuvenating. It will be interesting to see if the matter is addressed in January.