Paul Scholes is apprehensive about Manchester United’s chances ahead of the new Premier League season and has described Andre Onana as a ‘big concern’ who ‘worries him to death’.
United will aim to rise in the standings during the 2024-25 season after enduring their worst-ever Premier League finish last year.
Finishing eighth—31 points behind champions and local rivals Manchester City—put Erik ten Hag’s job at risk, but Manchester United chose to keep faith in the Dutchman after their unexpected FA Cup final victory over Pep Guardiola’s team.
The signings of French defender Leny Yoro—who has since sustained an injury—and Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee lifted the spirits at Old Trafford, but Scholes finds it difficult to share the optimism for the upcoming season.
Manchester United will take on Manchester City in the Community Shield final on Saturday before kicking off their Premier League season on August 16 against Fulham.
Scholes believes several areas of the team remain ‘problematic’ for Ten Hag and is particularly ‘worried’ about goalkeeper Onana.
The Cameroonian had an up-and-down first season at Old Trafford after his £47 million transfer from Inter Milan last summer, and Scholes acknowledges the goalkeeper” worries me to death.”
I’ve heard a lot of Manchester United fans say how excited they are for the new season, I’m struggling with that,’ Scholes said on The Overlap.
‘I still think there’s areas of the pitch which are a problem for United. The new centre-back has already got injured, Martinez was injured last season, Maguire was injured at the end of the season, Lindelof the same, no Varane this season.
‘I still worry about the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper is a big concern for me. Even in pre-season with some of the goals he conceded. I worry to death about him.’Scholes said
Onana was brought in to replace David de Gea, primarily because of his ball-playing skills, and the 28-year-old has vowed to “take a lot of risks” this season.
‘Yes, that’s me,’ he said earlier this week. ‘I think it’s what you’re going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks.
‘I can tell you in advance already. Be prepared because it’s going to be this season, trust me. I will enjoy it even more when this season starts.
‘The best team in the world takes risks. Building from the back, recognising things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four…
‘So for me it’s important to recognise those kind of things and make the best decision for the team. I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no?
‘I think it’s gonna be nice this season.’