Paul Scholes Criticises Man United’s Summer Transfer Window and Identifies “Criminal Offence”

Paul Scholes has hit out at Manchester United over what the club did — and did not do — during the recent summer transfer window.

United splashed £232.4 million on new recruits in the off-season, the fifth-highest spend of any club in a record-breaking Premier League window.

Seven players arrived, but just three — Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo — have made their debuts so far.

The spree followed United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish, 15th last season. Ruben Amorim’s side are yet to show signs of improvement and currently sit 14th after Sunday’s 3-0 derby defeat to Manchester City.

Who did Man United sign this summer?

Matheus Cunha was the first marquee arrival, joining from Wolves for £62.5m, followed by Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford in a £65m deal and then Benjamin Sesko, who cost £74m from RB Leipzig.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was also signed, joining from Royal Antwerp for £18.2m plus £3.5m in add-ons.

His move came shortly before Andre Onana left on loan to Trabzonspor, leading many to expect the Belgian would immediately become United’s No 1. However, Altay Bayindir was preferred in goal for Sunday’s Manchester derby.

Full list of Man United’s summer signings

1. Matheus Cunha – Forward
2. Diego Leon – Defender
3. Enzo Kana-Biyik – Forward
4. Bryan Mbeumo – Forward
5. Harley Emsden-James – Defender
6. Benjamin Sesko – Forward
7. Senne Lammens – Goalkeeper

What did Paul Scholes say about Man United’s transfer window?

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, Scholes made no secret of his frustration with United’s transfer dealings and squad balance.

Scholes suggested that despite United’s heavy spending over the summer, manager Amorim still does not have the tools to make his 3-4-3 formation work.

“I don’t think the quality is there,” said Scholes. “Whatever two out of the four or five they have got in [midfield] — Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes], [Kobbie] Mainoo — whatever combination he seems to try doesn’t seem to work. That’s a big issue.

“I thought all summer the absolute priority was a centre midfield player with legs, who can play and can control a game.

“Goalkeeper was [also] a major issue. Did they really need to get to the Grimsby game to realise [Andre] Onana is not good enough?

“If Manchester United were not in the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is a criminal offence.

“The recruitment side went to buy forwards. That did need addressing, but did it need three of them? I’m not sure it did.”

United were linked with interest in Donnarumma, but he eventually joined rivals City in what Scholes hailed as the Signing of the Summer.

Wayne Rooney claims Man United have got “worse” under Ruben Amorim

Scholes’ comments came less than 24 hours after fellow club legend Wayne Rooney gave his own damning verdict on Amorim’s tenure.

Rooney argued that United have “got worse” since Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag last November, pointing to the club’s lack of progress despite a quarter of a billion pounds spent on transfers.

The former United captain said: “I want to be as supportive and positive as I can be on the manager and the players. But it is very difficult to sit here and say we are seeing progression. We’re seeing none of that, and it is very difficult.”

Rooney also criticised Amorim’s rigid 3-4-3 system, warning that the midfield “don’t have the legs to cover the full width of the pitch” and are being routinely overrun.

“The problem with this system is having two in central midfield,” he explained. “The players have not got the energy and legs to cover the full width of the pitch and go up and down. They’re getting overrun and overpowered.”

Bluntly, Rooney concluded: “I think if the manager is honest with himself, it has got worse.”