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The Good, The Bad & The Football
The Man Utd legend has launched a savage attack on the first-team playing squad.
Paul Scholes believes there are eight first-team players Manchester United must get rid of if they are to successfully challenge for the Premier League.
United launched 'Project 150', intending to challenge for the league title to coincide with their 150th anniversary during the 2027/28 season. It means they only have two full seasons to fulfil their lofty ambition, and there is plenty of work to be done if they are to meet those huge aims.
In an attempt to remain relevant during the long break between United matches, club legend Scholes has cast his negativity on the first-team squad and ruthlessly named eight players he thinks should move on. While some of them make sense, such as Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee, there are also bold calls to get rid of Leny Yoro and Patrick Dorgu.
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Scholes urges United to sell eight players
“Look, I think he’s been really good and he’s brought himself back from the dead really," Scholes said. “I think he’s been sensational with what he’s done, I’m so so pleased for him, but I’m thinking about a Manchester United team you want to win the league and the Champions League and that’s where United should be aiming. I’m not sure you’d do that with Maguire, unless you’ve got someone like a Rio [Ferdinand] next to him then possibly, yeah.”
“It’s Manchester United, you’ve got to be talking about winning the Premier League. If it’s one of four, you’d probably take him but I’d have De Ligt in that as one of four. I think they’re both quite similar but De Ligt is a little bit younger so that’s on his side, he’s a little bit quicker, so I’d probably just go for De Ligt.”
Scholes was just of scathing of Leny Yoro, who he does not believe is good enough to play regularly for his former side. He added: “I think he’s struggled, me. I think there’s something in there, I think he needs a bit of time, but if you had to make a choice now, I’d probably sell him. Sell. I don’t know where he fits in. He’s been like a right-sided centre-half and they don’t play with three centre-halves anymore. If there’s three centre-halves then you’d probably have him as one of five or six but I think it’s probably time to let him go now.”
Patrick Dorgu was one of the star performers under Michael Carrick prior to his hamstring injury, though Scholes has not been convinced by him either: “They brought him in as a wing-back and he’s not really played much there. I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him then he’s just a squad player.”
Luke Shaw is the only player to have started every Premier League match for the club this season, but Scholes believes he should be sold because he doesn't play enough. He continued: “When he was playing consistently, I don’t think there was a better left-back in the world, not just Europe. But if you’re asking me now, and he’s done alright appearance-wise this year, but I’d sell him. He doesn’t play enough games.”
Casemiro is one player who will certainly leave when his contract expires at the end of the season. There have been calls for him to remain at the club, though Scholes is glad to see him go: “Yeah, I think it’s right [he’s going]. I think he’s turned his fortunes around, he’s been very good, but United need strengthening in that position massively.”
Scholes also called for Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee to be sold, and added that Mason Mount should also leave given a lack of opportunities. He added: “I’d probably sell him and I like him, he’s a great footballer. But he’s never going to play in front of Bruno Fernandes. I’m not sure what other position he could play and he doesn’t play enough games.”
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