Paul Scholes has a ‘massive concern’ over ‘second rate’ Manchester United target

Paul Scholes is not impressed with Matthijs de Ligt, saying he has a ‘massive concern’ over Manchester United being linked with the ‘second rate’ defender.

The 24-year-old has agreed personal terms with the Red Devils over a summer move, but now agreement has been reached with Bayern Munich.

Manchester United are keen to get rid of Victor Lindelof, among others, and there will probably have to be outgoings before De Ligt can be brought in.

Manager Erik ten Hag is a fan of his fellow Dutchman as they worked together at Ajax but Manchester United legend Scholes is not so convinced.

De Ligt left Ajax for Juventus and has since moved on to Bayern, where he has found himself out of the starting XI, while he was in the squad for Netherlands at Euro 2024 but didn’t get on the pitch.

Scholes feels the centre-back has shown he has not been good enough to get into the starting XI for club and country and is not sure why he would be a good signing for the Red Devils.

‘Manchester United are talking about bringing players in who can’t get in their team,’ Scholes said on The Overlap.

‘From Bayern Munich, he has not played for them. That has to be a big concern for me, especially when Eric Dier is playing in front of him. I’m not joking, that is a massive concern for me.

‘When you’re bringing players in for £40-£50million just because he played for him three or four years ago. Juventus got rid of him, he wasn’t good enough for Juventus. He’s obviously not been good enough at Bayern Munich, so he’s coming to us as like a second-rate defender now.’

Scholes is also not sure about the new arrival at Old Trafford from Bologna, Joshua Zirkzee, although admits he has never actually watched him play.

‘They’ve now brought in Zirkzee and I’ll be honest with you, I’ve never seen him play,’ said the United icon. ‘Marcus can play through the middle but he’s much better on the left and I think goals are going to be a problem this season.

‘I’ve had a look at Zirkzee [his record] and he’s not been a great goalscorer wherever he’s been, in Italy or Bayern Munich’s second team. And it’s going to be more difficult in the Premier League.’

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