SCEPTICAL SCHOLES
Former midfielder says United lack quality to challenge for title
MANCHESTER United’s lack of new signings combined with the uncertainty surrounding the team’s strategies and form gives the club a very small chance of challenging for the Premier League title, former midfielder Paul Scholes has said.
United manager Jose Mourinho has expressed his frustration over the club’s transfer activity on multiple occasions, with goalkeeper Lee Grant, midfielder Fred and defender Diogo Dalot the only new arrivals ahead of this season.
United finished 19 points behind champions and cross-town rivals Manchester City in the league last term and Scholes, who played more than 700 matches for United, said the club are lagging behind City and a strengthened Liverpool this season and does not see Mourinho’s side eclipsing their rivals.
“When you look at Manchester City, possibly Liverpool, I don’t think they (United) have the quality of those two teams at the minute,” Scholes, who retired in 2013, told the Daily Mirror. “Liverpool have made some really good signings. United finished above them last season.
“I just don’t see United getting closer to City. City are a really good side, great manager, some great players, a way of playing that they all know about.
“United seem to be not too sure what’s going on. You don’t really know the team, you don’t really know the players, you don’t know how they’re going to perform from one week to the next.
“I don’t see them challenging for the league this year.”
Meanwhile, Juan Mata may be in line for a sensational return to former club Valencia once his contract expires at United next summer.
The Spaniard spent four years at the La Liga side, where he made 174 appearances across all competitions, before leaving for the Premier League in a move to Chelsea in 2011.
Mata’s current deal at Old Trafford is set to run out at the end of the current campaign and, according to The Sun, Valencia are keen on a deal to bring him back.
Reports suggest Valencia would only want to bring him in on a free transfer though because of his £130,000 (RM677,229)-aweek wage demands.
A source told The Sun: “It is well known Juan is wanted by Valencia. There is a strong connection between the two.
“His deal is up next summer and it looks likely he’ll leave unless something changes soon.
“We know Juan’s motives are not related to money and there’s a very strong emotional attachment to take into account.”