- Manchester United legend questions Harry Maguire’s quality
- Newest fan debate in ‘keep or sell’ podcast edition
- Scholes continues vocal critique of Carrick’s squad
Younger fans of Manchester United can be forgiven if they don’t remember just how brilliant Paul Scholes was for Manchester United.
Footballers who spend 20 years at one club are hard to come by, let alone those who win eleven Premier League titles, two Champions League trophies and much more. Scholes was elegance personified, with a crisp passing range and an attention to detail that made him the heartbeat of United’s midfield until his final retirement in 2013.
Most of all, he was the ultimate introverted footballer with no online presence, no drama, and a private life known to few. However, his post-career persona has been the polar opposite.
Scholes Debates Maguire in a Title Winning Squad
The latest comments by Scholes were made on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast alongside United legend Nicky Butt and host Paddy McGuinness. The trio indulged in a controversial ‘keep or sell’ segment of the current Manchester United squad under Michael Carrick.
Scholes took aim at veteran defender Harry Maguire. Despite Maguire’s resurgent form, return to the England squad, and reported new one-year extension at Old Trafford, Scholes was left feeling unconvinced.
He said: “I’m thinking about a United team who you want to win the Premier League or Champions League and I’m not sure you do that with Harry Maguire.”
Butt, however, argued that Maguire is still valuable to the current side. He said: “I’d keep him, definitely. I think he defends that edge of the box, great in both boxes. In the air, he’s commanding.”
The 32 year-old has featured 21 times for the Old Trafford side this season. Since returning from a thigh injury in January, he has been a mainstay in the absence of Matthijs De Ligt.
Doing More Harm Than Good
Scholes has been quick to twist the knife this season on at least two occasions. The recent social media post came in the wake of the Red’s first defeat under Michael Carrick.
After the 2-1 loss to Newcastle United, he wrote on Instagram: “Michael [Carrick] has definitely got something special about him… cos Utd have been crap last 4 games… night”. It was yet another unnecessary attempt at causing a stir when things had looked upbeat for the club.
It is evidence of his relationship with the current squad souring. Previously, a verbal war exchange with Lisandro Martinez earlier this season occurred. Many fans felt it was a step too far against a World Cup winner.
Generally, the voices of the Class of ‘92 have done more harm than good in their punditry era. In moments where United have needed constructive criticism or quiet encouragement, these ex-players have instead delivered damning and often ill-judged critiques at the most unhelpful of times.
By leaning into ragebaiting fans, Scholes risks isolating himself from the very fanbase that once worshipped him on the pitch.
The comments on Maguire were not the only outlandish ones made by Scholes or Butt. In the segment, they wanted to ‘sell’ Noussair Mazraoui for not featuring prominently under Carrick, but keep De Ligt, who has been injured for four months. The pair also wanted to ‘sell’ Patrick Dorgu. Butt even suggested loaning out Leny Yoro despite him being a first-choice centreback as of late.
