Paul Scholes has never been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his latest assessment of Manchester United’s defensive rebuild cuts straight to the bone. Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, the club legend delivered a withering critique of Leny Yoro’s fledgling United career and cast serious doubt over whether Matthijs de Ligt possesses the pedigree to anchor a Premier League-winning backline.
For a club still reeling from the chaos of the post-Ferguson era, Scholes’ words are a sobering reminder of the gulf between ambition and reality at Old Trafford.
The Yoro Paradox: A £60m Gamble Under the Microscope
When United hijacked Real Madrid’s pursuit of Leny Yoro last summer, it felt like a statement signing. The 19-year-old Frenchman, fresh from a breakout season at Lille, arrived as the most expensive teenager in football history a £60m bet on potential over proven quality. INEOS’ relentless pursuit of Yoro, described as an “obsession” by club insiders, signalled a shift toward long-term planning under Ruben Amorim.
But fate intervened cruelly. A metatarsal fracture in pre-season sidelined Yoro for three months, delaying his integration into a team already in flux. Since his belated debut in December, the teenager has oscillated between flashes of composure and jarring naivety. His nadir came in February’s 3-1 win over Southampton, where Kamaldeen Sulemana tormented him down United’s right flank, exposing his positional frailties and lack of recovery pace.
Scholes’ verdict was scathing: “Did you see the Southampton game? I haven’t liked what I’ve seen so far.” Yet, tellingly, he stopped short of writing Yoro off entirely. “I’d keep him as part of the spine,” Scholes conceded, hinting at a patience United’s volatile fanbase may not afford.
De Ligt’s Decline: From Golden Boy to Liability
If Yoro’s struggles can be chalked up to inexperience, Matthijs de Ligt’s underwhelming start is harder to excuse. Signed from Bayern Munich for £45m, the Dutchman arrived with a CV that screamed leadership: Ajax captain at 19, Juventus stalwart, Bundesliga title-winner. Instead, he’s looked ponderous, error-prone, and alarmingly out of sync with Amorim’s high-pressing system.
Scholes’ skepticism is palpable: “What are your ambitions with a player like De Ligt starting? Are you going to win the Premier League with De Ligt and Yoro as your centre-halves?” The implied answer hangs in the air like a storm cloud.
Once hailed as Europe’s most complete young defender, De Ligt’s regression raises uncomfortable questions. Has the weight of expectation crushed his confidence? Or was his early success at Ajax inflated by a weaker league? Either way, his partnership with Yoro—a duo with a combined age younger than Thiago Silva—feels more like a gamble than a foundation.
The Shadow of Real Madrid: A Transfer Saga Revisited
Yoro’s signing was a coup, but it came with an asterisk. Real Madrid’s refusal to meet Lille’s demands wasn’t a snub it was a calculated risk. The Spanish giants, burned by Eden Hazard’s injury woes, deemed the fee excessive for a player entering the final year of his contract. Their decision to avoid the market altogether (“no defender worth pursuing”) speaks volumes about their faith in their own academy gems.
For United, the gamble was justified by Yoro’s ceiling. Scouts raved about his anticipation, ball-playing elegance, and maturity beyond his years. But the Premier League’s relentless physicality has exposed cracks. Unlike Raphael Varane, who seamlessly transitioned from Lille to Madrid’s galacticos, Yoro lacks the protective structure of a settled team a luxury United cannot provide.
Amorim’s Dilemma: Protect or Persist?
Ruben Amorim faces an unenviable balancing act. The Portuguese coach, lauded for nurturing young talent at Sporting CP, understands the dangers of overburdening Yoro. His cautious integration gradual minutes, tailored coaching reflects a long-term vision. But United’s defensive woes (38 goals conceded in 24 league games) demand immediate solutions.
Against Southampton, Amorim’s reluctance to hook Yoro at halftime hinted at a broader philosophy: growth through adversity. Yet Scholes’ critique underscores the tension between development and results. “You can’t blood a teenager in a title race,” the pundit argued, tacitly questioning whether United’s project aligns with their stated ambitions.
The Bigger Picture: A Defence in Disarray
Scholes’ call for “two new centre-backs” isn’t just about Yoro and De Ligt it’s an indictment of United’s entire defensive strategy. Lisandro Martinez’s injury woes, Harry Maguire’s fading mobility, and Victor Lindelöf’s inconsistency have left Amorim scrambling for cohesion.
The numbers are damning: United rank 14th for goals conceded, 16th for aerial duels won, and 18th for errors leading to shots. In this context, Yoro’s struggles are symptomatic of systemic rot.
The Road Ahead: Trust the Process or Tear It Up?
For INEOS, Scholes’ warnings are a litmus test. Do they double down on their youth-centric model, trusting Amorim to mould Yoro into a Varane-esque pillar? Or do they pivot, pursuing proven stars like Antonio Silva or Jean-Clair Todibo to stabilise the backline?
The answer may define United’s trajectory. As Scholes starkly put it: “You don’t win titles with potential. You win them with players who’ve been there, done it.”
For now, Yoro and De Ligt remain works in progress—symbols of a rebuild that risks unravelling before it begins.
Quotes sourced from Paul Scholes’ appearance on The Overlap Fan Debate. Stats via Opta.
