October 6th 2024.
In a recent match between Manchester United and Aston Villa, Joshua Zirkzee was substituted in the second half as a part of United's efforts to secure a win. However, the game ended in a draw, leaving former United player Paul Scholes frustrated with the team's performance and recruitment strategies under manager Erik ten Hag.
United had been struggling with a poor start to the season, both domestically and in Europe, and needed a strong performance at Villa Park. However, their efforts fell short as they were unable to create clear-cut chances and were held to a goalless stalemate. Bruno Fernandes came closest to scoring with a free-kick that hit the crossbar, but United failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity in stoppage time.
This result left United in 14th place in the Premier League table, a position that Scholes believes is unacceptable for a club of United's stature. He expressed his disappointment, stating that he never truly believed United went into the match with the intention of winning. Instead, it seemed like they were playing to survive, which was a concern for Scholes.
Speaking in the SuperSport studio after the game, Scholes shared his thoughts on the match and United's recruitment strategy. He has been a vocal critic of the club's recruitment for some time, and this game only added to his concerns. According to Scholes, United lacked quality in their forward line and were unable to score goals, which he believes is a crucial aspect of a successful team.
Scholes also pointed out that three of United's high-profile summer signings - Manuel Ugarte, Matthijs de Ligt, and Zikzee - were left on the bench for this game. This decision only highlighted the team's seemingly directionless recruitment after spending a significant amount of money in recent years.
Furthermore, Scholes believes that United's failure to identify and stick to a playing style has made it challenging for them to make successful transfers. He compared this to Liverpool, who have a clear style of play and can recruit players accordingly. In contrast, United's ever-changing playing style makes it challenging to choose players who will fit into the team seamlessly.
Overall, Scholes' comments reflect the frustration and concerns of many United fans regarding the team's performance and recruitment strategy. It remains to be seen if the club will make changes and address these issues in the future.
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