Paul Scholes feels Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Casemiro are incapable of making a difference for Manchester United
Manchester United’s struggles often show how key figures once seen as dependable leaders have declined. Paul Scholes, who knows the club’s standards better than most, recently spoke with The Times. He gave a blunt assessment of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro. The 50-year-old believes that all three have dropped below the physical level that the Premier League now demands.
Scholes revealed that the trio were wonderful players in the past, but currently, they are well past their prime. They don’t have the strength or pace in their bodies to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity any more. Maguire, who is 32 years old, and Shaw, who is 30 years old, did not earn a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad this October, and that in itself pretty much sums up the situation. Meanwhile, Casemiro, who is 33 years old, continues to struggle with fitness issues and has also seen a decline in his performance.
United are definitely worried about the situation of the Brazilian defensive midfielder, and hence have been looking for his replacement in the transfer market. Scholes feels that United have many players who don’t match the high energy that is needed to thrive in the Premier League, and play against tough opponents.
Fans will have to take his words with a pinch of salt as United have been losing physical battles on the field. They arrive second to challenges and run out of stamina often. The Premier League keeps raising its physical bar, and these once-reliable figures simply can’t keep up anymore.
Paul Scholes feels Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Casemiro are incapable of making a difference for Manchester United.
Scholes blasts Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro for physical decline
“Shaw, Maguire, Casemiro, they’ve all been great players but they’re at a stage of their career now where you get found out in the Premier League if you’re not physically good enough.”
“Their bodies are not athletic enough, they’re not strong enough, they’re not quick enough. They’ve dropped to a level where they can’t cope with what’s needed in the Premier League.”
“Every player in the Premier League is an absolute machine. They’ve got five per cent body fat, they can run, they’re strong, they can head it. Manchester United are carrying two or three players that are just not capable of living with it.”
The club’s dilemma and the physical question
Inside the club, the hierarchy faces a difficult choice. Journalist Dean Jones reported earlier that Manchester United are still debating whether to extend Luke Shaw’s contract. The club continues to review Casemiro’s future, with his deal running until 2026. They may offer him an extension, but only if he agrees to a major pay cut from his current £375,000-a-week wages. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano revealed that United plan to hand Maguire a new contract under a different salary structure and no pay rise.
These talks clearly reveal that the club is now handling senior players with a cautious and performance-based approach. Under Ruben Amorim, United’s 3-4-3 system has exposed their physical flaws. The Premier League’s pace and power often stretch the team, especially in midfield and wing-back areas. Their lack of athleticism hurts their consistency week after week. Scholes’ criticism feels hard to dismiss. The truth remains clear that United must build a side with stronger, quicker, and fitter players if they want to stay competitive.