Paul Scholes, a Manchester United legend, didn’t mince his words when analyzing the team’s recent performance following a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham.
In his scathing assessment, Scholes claimed that Manchester United resembled an “uncoached team,” expressing concern over the direction—or lack thereof—that the club has been heading under Erik ten Hag’s management.
His remarks came after yet another lackluster display from the Red Devils, further questioning the wisdom behind some of their recent transfer decisions, particularly the acquisition of Matthijs de Ligt.
The match at Old Trafford showcased just how far United have fallen from their usual standards. Brennan Johnson got Tottenham off to a flying start, scoring within the opening three minutes, sending the Spurs’ fans into raptures.
United, already under intense scrutiny for their rocky start to the 2024/25 campaign, looked disjointed and devoid of any attacking threat.
Their woes were compounded when Bruno Fernandes was shown a straight red card in the 42nd minute for a reckless challenge on James Maddison.
With United down to 10 men, Tottenham capitalized in the second half, with Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke adding two more goals to seal a comprehensive victory.
For Manchester United, the defeat left them languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table—a position that is far from acceptable for a club of their stature. The pressure on Erik ten Hag has intensified, with many now questioning whether he is the right man to lead the team forward.
With a crucial match against Aston Villa looming, United are desperate for a result to relieve some of the growing tension surrounding the club.
Scholes, speaking on SuperSport, expressed his disbelief at how the team has been playing under Ten Hag. “You can’t tell how they’re going to play,” Scholes remarked in frustration.
There’s no clear strategy. Are they going to counter-attack? Sit deep? Try to control possession? It’s all over the place. They look like an uncoached team.
Scholes went on to draw comparisons with Tottenham under their new manager Ange Postecoglou, noting how Spurs had a clear identity from the very first week of Postecoglou’s tenure.
In two years, you can already see how Spurs are setting up under Postecoglou, and they’re sticking to that plan. We’re over two years into this at United, and it still looks like there’s no real plan.” Scholes didn’t hold back when it came to criticizing the players either.
He felt they lacked energy, purpose, and commitment on the pitch. “The players looked flat, lifeless, and unsure of themselves,” Scholes observed. “That kind of lack of enthusiasm comes from the training ground.
You can’t just turn up on match day and expect everything to fall into place if the groundwork hasn’t been laid in training. The positions some of these players are taking up on the pitch—it’s chaotic at times.
But perhaps one of the most biting critiques from Scholes was reserved for Manchester United’s transfer dealings, specifically the summer signing of Matthijs de Ligt.
United spent £43 million to bring the Dutch defender to Old Trafford, but Scholes questioned whether he was an upgrade over Harry Maguire, who has found himself sidelined for much of the season.
When you bring in new players, you expect them to improve the team significantly,” Scholes stated. “But I don’t see De Ligt being any better than Maguire, who’s only had two league starts this season.
When pressed on whether De Ligt was a £50 million upgrade over Maguire, Scholes was unequivocal in his response. “No, definitely not,” he said bluntly.
It was a damning verdict, not just of the player, but of the club’s overall recruitment strategy, which has come under fire in recent years for failing to deliver the kind of transformative signings that Manchester United desperately need.
Scholes ended his analysis with a stern message to the United squad, urging them to stop making excuses and start delivering results on the pitch before Ten Hag’s position becomes untenable.
These are experienced players who have cost the club a lot of money,” Scholes said. “It’s time to stop with the excuses. They need to get on the training ground and figure out a way to play.
Show us something! Anything! This club can’t keep going on like this.” His words reflected the frustrations of many United fans who have watched their team flounder in recent seasons.
The once-mighty Manchester United, a club that prided itself on winning silverware and playing with a clear identity, now looks like a shadow of its former self.
As Scholes pointed out, the players and coaching staff have to find a way to bring back that sense of pride and purpose before the situation spirals even further out of control. The next few matches could very well define Ten Hag’s futu
