Paul Scholes has launched a strong criticism on The Good, The Bad & The Football of Manchester United following their defeat to Hull City, telling Bruno Fernandes he would be “best to keep his mouth shut” after his own poor performance.
United suffered a damaging opening-day defeat against newly-promoted Hull, and Scholes believes Michael Carrick’s side looked physically unprepared for the Premier League season.
The former United midfielder also questioned whether summer arrivals Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans have actually improved the midfield.
Scholes hits back at Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has spoken following United's disappointing performance, but Scholes believes the midfielder should focus on his own display.
“When you perform the way Bruno Fernandes did as well, I think it's probably best to keep your mouth shut,” Scholes said.
“He didn't have his best performance either.”
Scholes was also unimpressed by comments from Luke Shaw suggesting United could have been better prepared.
“That’s a slight on your staff. That’s a slight on your manager,” he said.
‘Man United are not fit enough’
Fitness was Scholes' biggest concern after watching Hull overpower United.
He felt the promoted side looked stronger, sharper and significantly better prepared physically.
“They looked like a big and strong team,” Scholes said. “They looked like a fit team against an unfit team.
“They weren't ready. They didn't look ready for the game.”
Tielemans' admission that United had not been doing much running in training also caught Scholes' attention.
“It looked like that as well, didn't it,” he responded.
While describing Tielemans as a “brilliant footballer” in possession, Scholes stressed that mobility is not one of the Belgian's biggest strengths.
Scholes questions United’s new midfield
United invested heavily in rebuilding Carrick's midfield this summer, but Scholes was particularly critical of the Santos-Tielemans partnership used against Hull.
“You speak about recruitment-wise, and I saw the central midfield the other day, and I thought, ‘that is no better than last year.’”
Scholes believes new signings should represent obvious upgrades on the players already available.
“To me, on Saturday, that wasn't better than Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro together.”
It is a significant criticism given United's attempts to transform their midfield during the summer window.
Key Points
- Paul Scholes criticised Bruno Fernandes after the Hull defeat.
- He believes Fernandes should have remained quiet after his own poor display.
- Scholes said Manchester United looked unfit and unprepared.
- He suggested Luke Shaw's comments reflected badly on Carrick and his staff.
- Youri Tielemans' lack of mobility remains a concern for Scholes.
- Scholes does not believe Tielemans and Andrey Santos represented an upgrade against Hull.
What’s Next?
The pressure is now on Carrick and his players to produce an immediate response.
One defeat will not define United's season, but Scholes' concerns go beyond the result. Fitness, preparation and whether the club's expensive midfield rebuild has genuinely improved the starting XI will all be scrutinised over the coming matches.
With expectations already high, Fernandes and United's new-look midfield now need to answer those criticisms on the pitch.
Is Paul Scholes right that Manchester United’s new midfield is no better than what they had last season?
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