August 8th 2024.
Paul Scholes, a former player for Manchester United, has expressed his concerns about the team's chances for the upcoming Premier League season. In particular, he has highlighted his worries about goalkeeper Andre Onana, whom he describes as a "big concern" and someone who "worries him to death."
Last season, Manchester United had their worst-ever finish in the Premier League, placing eighth and finishing a whopping 31 points behind their local rivals, Manchester City. This poor performance put manager Erik ten Hag's job in jeopardy, but the team ultimately decided to keep faith in him after their unexpected FA Cup final win against Pep Guardiola's side.
While the additions of French defender Leny Yoro and Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee have lifted the mood at Old Trafford, Scholes still struggles to share in the optimism surrounding the team. He believes that there are still several problem areas that need to be addressed, particularly the goalkeeper position.
Manchester United's season will kick off with the Community Shield final against Manchester City on Saturday, followed by their first Premier League match against Fulham on August 16. However, Scholes remains skeptical about the team's chances, citing the ongoing issues with the squad.
In an interview on The Overlap, Scholes expressed his concerns about the team's current state. "I've heard a lot of Manchester United fans say how excited they are for the new season, but I'm struggling with that," he said. "There are still areas of the pitch that are a problem for United. The new centre-back has already gotten injured, and with no Varane this season, I still worry about the defense."
In particular, Scholes is worried about Onana, who joined Manchester United from Inter Milan last summer for a whopping £47 million. The Cameroonian goalkeeper had a mixed first season at Old Trafford, and Scholes admits that he "worries him to death."
"I still worry about the goalkeeper," Scholes said. "Even in pre-season, he has conceded some goals that have concerned me. I worry to death about him."
Onana was brought in to replace David de Gea, largely due to his impressive ball-playing abilities. However, the 28-year-old has promised to take even more risks this season.
"Yes, that's me," Onana said in an interview earlier this week. "I think you're going to see a lot of that from me this season because I will take a lot of risks. I can tell you in advance, be prepared because that's what it's going to be like this season. I will enjoy it even more when the season starts."
"The best team in the world takes risks," he continued. "Building from the back, recognizing situations, when the opponent is pressing with three or four players... So for me, it's important to recognize these things and make the best decisions for the team. I am ready to take on this responsibility, and I believe my back is strong enough to handle it all."
Despite Scholes' concerns, Manchester United fans are still eagerly anticipating the new season. With the team's first match just around the corner, all eyes will be on Onana and his ability to handle the pressure and take risks for his team.
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