Imagine, for a second, if Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United had a midfielder of Paul Scholes’ ilk in the centre of the park.
Yes, footballers of such quality and intelligence do not come around particularly often. But the point remains.
So many of the attributes the legendary Scholes was renowned for in a fabulous career – his pinpoint passing range, his remarkable game intelligence, and his ability to orchestrate proceedings and add an almost Philharmonic presence to Old Trafford – are also the attributes Ten Hag’s Manchester United often ramshackle midfield has frequently lacked.
Even against Fulham – despite a largely promising performance and a debut winner from Joshua Zirkzee – the old Achilles heel of last season was exposed once again.
A tendency to resort to kick and rush tactics when composure and control are required. A baffling vulnerability on the counter attack; only Harry Maguire denying Fulham a one-v-one opportunity against Andre Onana when the game was still goalless.
If such obvious weaknesses are frustrating for the fans, then imagine what it must look like to one of the finest and most intelligent central midfield players of the last 30 years.
Manchester United icon advises Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro
“They try and score with every single attack,” says a bemused Scholes, speaking to The Overlap. “You can’t do that. There’s never a midfielder saying like, ‘for five or ten minutes, lets keep the ball’.
“You watch Man City, you watch (Mateo) Kovacic, he just takes the sting out the game.”
Scholes feel that Man United would benefit from a midfielder in the Ilkay Gundogan mould – coincidentally the man who wore City’s number eight shirt before Kovacic did – while urging Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro to turn things down a notch while spending more time focusing on the simple stuff.
“Bruno is trying to hit passes all the time. There is Casemiro overlapping people. They are all over the place at times! Its chaos,” Scholes groans.
“You think what (Casemiro) has done at Real Madrid, you think he’s got the experience.”
Casemiro looks sharp again
After a dreadful 2023/24 campaign, Casemiro was back to his all-action self against Fulham.
He set up Bruno Fernandes’ first-half chance with a gorgeous through ball, and could be spotted racing down the right-hand side in the build up to Zirkzee’s 87th minute finish.
Scholes cannot help but wonder, however, if Man United would benefit more from Casemiro leaving the attacking duties to Mason Mount, Kobbie Mainoo and co, even if he is impressed by the way the veteran Brazilian ahs returned re-energised at the start of the new campaign.
“Stay there! Don’t move (from your position),” the two-time Champions League winner urges. “Just organise and control things. But (Casemiro is) flying everywhere.”
The Casemiro, Bruno, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount midfield has worked well for United in their two outings so far. It remains to be seen whether Ten Hag shuffles his pack against Brighton on Saturday, with Zirkzee pushing for a first start.
If anyone is to make way for the £35 million striker, Mount feels like the one most at risk. Despite his excellent pressing stats and his boundless enthusiasm, Scholes still wonders where there is really a place in Ten Hag’s system where the former Chelsea ace can perform at his very best.
“He looked really sharp,” Scholes says. “But there does he fit in?”
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