Paul Scholes Criticizes Manchester United’s Signing of Matthijs de Ligt
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has voiced strong criticism regarding the club’s recent acquisition of Matthijs de Ligt. Scholes is concerned about the £43 million fee paid for the Dutch defender, describing him as a “second-class defender.”
Matthijs de Ligt, along with Noussair Mazraoui, was signed by Manchester United from Bayern Munich in a combined £60 million deal. De Ligt’s transfer alone cost £43 million, a figure that Scholes finds troubling.
Scholes questioned De Ligt’s quality and suitability for Manchester United. He pointed out that De Ligt has struggled to secure a regular spot at both Juventus and Bayern Munich, raising doubts about his ability to enhance United’s defense.
Scholes highlighted that De Ligt is not currently in Manchester United’s starting lineup, and noted that Eric Dier, who is currently ahead of De Ligt in the pecking order, is a significant concern. Scholes expressed skepticism about the rationale behind signing a player who is not deemed good enough to start for the team.
Scholes referenced De Ligt’s previous stints at Juventus and Bayern Munich, suggesting that his inability to perform consistently at those clubs indicates he may not be up to the standard required by Manchester United.
Scholes’ comments reflect broader concerns about Manchester United’s transfer strategy and the effectiveness of recent signings. The criticism underscores debates about whether the club is making the right investments to strengthen the squad.
This critique from Scholes adds to the scrutiny of Manchester United’s recent transfer activities and raises questions about the impact of De Ligt on the team’s defensive capabilities.