Former Manchester United -midfielder Paul Scholes believes that the recruitment of the club during the summer transfer window is to blame for their bad start to the season.
The Red Devils have only won one of their opening of four Premier League matches, while they were also beaten from the EFL Cup in the second round by League Two Grimsby Town.
Their most recent defeat came into the hands of Rivalen Manchester City, who started Gianluigi Donnarumma for the first time in Doel in a routine 3-0 success.
United was connected to a relocation for the Italy International as a replacement for Andre Onana, who was borrowed from Trabzonspor, but the Red Devils eventually landed the young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Donnarumma saved both shots with which he was confronted in the Manchester Derby, including a great stop to deny Bryan Mbeumo, while he started his Premier League career with a clean slate.
Gianluigi Donnarumma. pic.twitter.com/ak0mcuwkab
– Manchester City (@Mancity) September 14, 2025
The attacking department of Ruben Amorim was heavily strengthened this summer after the additions of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo.
But Scholes believes that their priorities were in the wrong place and say that the club should have moved for a dynamic midfielder and a keeper of the Donnarumma status.
‘I don’t think the quality is there [in midfield]”Scholes told BBC Sport.
‘Casemiro, Bruno [Fernandes]” [Kobbie] Mainoo … whatever combination he tries [in midfield] Doesn’t seem to work.
“That is a big problem. I thought that the absolute priority was a central midfield player with legs, who can play and be able to drive a game throughout the summer.
“Goalkeeper was a big problem. Do they really have to go to the Grimsby game to realize that Onana is not good enough?
“If Manchester United was not on the market for Gianluigi Donnarumma when he became available, that is a criminal offense.
“The recruitment side went to buy forward. That had to be tackled, but did it need three? I am not sure if it did.”
United is the next in action against Chelsea on Saturday, after he has missed Champions League football for a second consecutive season.
#Scholes #Slams #Criminal #Man #Utd #Transfer #window #Donnarumma #Snub #Soccer #News