A second-rate defender — Paul Scholes rubbishes Manchester United new signing

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has raised red flags over the club's recent acquisition of Dutch defender Mathijs de Ligt. 

As Pulse Sports reported, the Red Devils have signed the 25-year-old defender from Bayern Munich for a €50 million deal, with €45 million of the €50 million guaranteed and €5 million in add-ons. 

De Ligt will be reuniting with his former manager Erik Ten Hag and has signed a five-year contract with the Red Devils, with an option for an additional year. The former Juventus defender is a top talent in the position, but Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has reservations. 

Speaking on the Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes worried about the quality of De Ligt as he explained that the defender failed to truly shine in his last two clubs: Juventus and Bayern Munich. 

 "With Man Utd, we’re talking about players who can’t get into their team,” he said, per Goal. “He’s [De Ligt] not playing for them [Bayern], that has to be a big concern, especially when Eric Dier is playing in front of him. That is a massive concern for me."

“You’re bringing in players for £40m, £50m just because he’s played for him [Ten Hag] two or three years ago. Juventus got rid of him; he wasn’t good enough there and he obviously hasn’t been good enough at Bayern Munich. He’s coming to us almost like a second-rate defender."

Meanwhile, Scholes has tipped North London giants Arsenal as favourites to lift the 2024/25 Premier League trophy. He believes Mikel Arteta's side are finally ready to usurp Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.