The size of the job facing Ruben Amorim was always going to be gigantic but the first three months at Manchester United have probably forced him into a rethink.
That rethink is not of the positive kind, as fleeting displays that promise a brighter future have been overwhelmed by underwhelming surrenders, mainly at Old Trafford.
With Ruben Amorim being Ineos’ own man, the first one no less, there’s zero chance he’s sacrificed at the altar of Man Utd managers before a rebuild of the squad.
While it remains to be seen how big a rebuild United undertake, Paul Scholes has made no qualms about the task at hand for the decision-makers in the summer.
Paul Scholes on Man Utd’s summer window
United’s frugal January has set the way for a blockbuster summer window, something which Fabrizio Romano has also reported recently.
Amorim has kept stressing the need to avoid mistakes of the past in the window, and instead rely on calm and collected signings that fulfill a long-term vision.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Still, that doesn’t mean multiple reinforcements are not needed and in Paul Scholes’ words, as many as seven new players are required.
Speaking on the Overlap, Scholes said there’s only one player he’d keep from the defensive ranks in particular, with the team set to be gutted.
He said: “I think a new goalkeeper is needed, possibly two centre-backs, two midfielders, and two centre-forwards with a bit of stature and a bit of quality to really create that spine. I don’t think United have any of that.
“When you get that spine right, then you can add bits to it.”
Leny Yoro only untouchable in Man Utd defence
Scholes went on to say that “good” is not “good enough” if United aim to eventually win the Premier League, something which Diogo Dalot has claimed they’re capable of doing under Amorim.
He took Matthijs de Ligt to the cleaners, saying he’s got worse as he’s got older but said he’d keep Leny Yoro as the only centre-back from the current lot.
Scholes said: “Leny Yoro is a young player but I haven’t liked what I’ve seen so fa. But he’s still a player I would keep for the spine of the team and back him.
“[Matthijs de Ligt’s] age and amount of clubs he’s had concerns me and he seems to be getting worse as he’s getting older. Can you win the Premier League with De Ligt and Yoro as your centre-backs?”
Yoro has had growing pains, like with any young player while De Ligt has also improved with games. While Scholes’ assessment of the team needing a rebuild is correct, De Ligt arguably stands right near the bottom of the list of players United need to get rid of.
A huge summer awaits.
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