Paul Scholes Slams Man Utd's Most Shocking Mistake as 'Criminal Offence'

Former Manchester United legend Paul Scholes criticized the club's "disgraceful" summer transfer activity, expressing frustration over the absence of midfield reinforcements while highlighting the specific player they should have pursued.

United's remarkable dominance during the early Premier League years established a benchmark that today's squad struggles to reach, while also producing a group of former players who readily criticize the current team's performance.

Ruben Amorim's squad has given critics plenty to work with. United's disappointing 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday resulted in the club's equal-worst opening to any Premier League campaign.

Scholes was notoriously aggressive in challenges during his career and remains equally direct as a pundit. "The quality simply isn't present," the former England midfielder stated bluntly about United's central midfield on Football Daily. "Regardless of which two players from their four or five options—Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo—whatever pairing he attempts appears ineffective.

"This represents a significant problem. Throughout the summer, I believed the absolute necessity was acquiring a central midfielder with pace, technical ability, and game management skills.

"The goalkeeper position was [equally] problematic," Scholes added. "Was it really necessary to wait until the Grimsby match to recognize that [André] Onana lacks the required standard? If Manchester United weren't interested in Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became obtainable, that constitutes a serious mistake.

"The recruitment team focused on purchasing attackers. While this area needed improvement, was acquiring three forwards truly necessary? I question whether it was."

Scholes's former United colleague Rio Ferdinand characterized watching Sunday's Manchester derby as "disheartening."

While Scholes, given his midfield background, focused on the center of the field, former defender Ferdinand worried about the defensive line. "From a defensive standpoint, that was the most troubling aspect," he shared on his podcast. "I've praised the defenders and our defensive approach at various points this season, but [during that game], it resembled cutting through soft material. The opposition found it far too simple."

"The manner in which we permitted them to penetrate and score goals and create chances—it was feeble, it was ineffective, it simply lacked substance," Ferdinand reflected somberly.

"If you asked me right now, 'What position will Man Utd finish in?', I'd suggest probably sixth or seventh, and I'd be satisfied with that this season," he concluded. "Even that appears optimistic at this point."