Paul Scholes believes Manchester United need a serious defensive rebuild and has warned that the problems at the back are not going to disappear on their own.
Manchester United spent heavily on midfield during the summer, bringing in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba.
Carlos Baleba is still waiting for his competitive debut after arriving from Brighton with an injury, although he has now returned to action in a behind-closed-doors game against Lausanne-Sport.
A major midfield investment has changed the options available to Michael Carrick, but Paul Scholes thinks another area of the squad has been left untouched for too long.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, the former United midfielder pointed directly at the defence.
“We’ve had that backline for five years. We’ve not been good enough for five years,” Scholes said.
Scholes wants Manchester United to replace back four
Scholes was blunt about what he thinks needs to happen next.
“So it’s not going to be any better now,” he added.
His answer was simple: United need to replace the entire back four.
“Definitely, a new back four is needed. Maybe a goalkeeper.”
United have already reshaped their attack and midfield over recent transfer windows. Scholes believes the defence now has to be next, with too many seasons passing without enough improvement.
Paul Scholes has been critical of Senne Lammens in recent podcasts and insists the Belgian is not up to the level of Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester City. His latest comment on Lammens’ situation is another harsh comment on the United No.1. The goalkeeper has already responded to the criticism, suggesting to manage pressure without affecting his performances.
Scholes, however, does not believe fixing the defenders alone will solve everything. He calls for the complete defensive department to be changed, including Senne Lammens.
Recent reports have also suggested that United are looking at a defensive rebuild in the upcoming windows. While the majority of the work is expected to be done over the summer transfer window, January additions can’t be ruled out either.
Michael Carrick now has a difficult task ahead. The midfield may soon have Baleba available, but Scholes clearly feels United’s bigger unfinished business is behind him.
