Ahead of the next Premier League season, Paul Scholes is concerned about Manchester United‘s chances and has called Andre Onana a “big concern” who “worries him to death.”
United, who finished last season with their lowest-ever Premier League finish, will be looking to improve in 2024–25.
Erik ten Hag’s career was in jeopardy due to his eighth-place finish, which put him 31 points behind winners and local rivals Manchester City. However, after Manchester United shocked Pep Guardiola’s team in the FA Cup final, the Dutchman was given a chance to prove his worth.
The arrival of French defender Leny Yoro – who has since suffered an injury – and Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee improved the mood at Old Trafford but Scholes struggles to share in the optimism ahead of the new season.
Manchester United face Manchester City in the Community Shield final on Saturday before beginning their Premier League campaign 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 endured a mixed first season at Old Trafford following a £47m move from Inter Milan last summer and Scholes admits 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.’
Onana was signed as David de Gea’s replacement largely due to his ball-playing abilities and the 28-year-old has promised 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.’