Paul Scholes says Manchester United will ‘never’ win the Premier League until they replace centre-back duo Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.
United’s poor start to the season continued on Saturday as Michael Carrick’s side could only draw 1-1 with ten-man Tottenham.
Spurs, who were bottom ahead of their trip to Old Trafford, were on top for large periods and missed a number of chances to take the lead.
Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock against the run of play with 20 minutes remaining before Tottenham were reduced to ten men, Rodrigo Bentancur sent off for headbutting Luke Shaw.
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Despite their one-goal lead and numerical advantage, Manchester United were unable to hold on for a much-needed win as Dominic Solanke headed home an injury-time equaliser.
The hosts were booed off at half-time and after the full-time whistle was blown as their winless run extended to four games and they slipped to 12th in the Premier League.
Scholes was hugely disappointed by Manchester United’s performance and believes an underwhelming summer of recruitment is already beginning to catch up on his former club.
The Old Trafford legend doubts United’s summer additions will do much to strengthen the team and says defensive reinforcements should have been a priority.
Scholes not only believes England international Maguire and Argentina international Martinez will prevent Manchester United from ‘ever’ challenging from the Premier League, but says at some point an entire ‘new back-four’ will need to be signed.
‘Tottenham were bottom of the league ahead of the game on Saturday and they absolutely run all over Manchester United,’ he said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
‘We talk a lot about recruitment, don’t we? The idea is to make your team better and someone like [Manchester City summer signing] Elliot Anderson would make them better, but I’m not sure the players they brought in make them better.
‘I actually think they’re alright in the forward areas but look at the centre-halves, that’s an area of the pitch that hasn’t been addressed for a number of years.
‘We’ve had the same centre-halves now for two or three years and we know you’re not going to be successful with them. You’re never, ever going to win the Premier League with them.
‘The goal on Saturday was a prime example – we know Lisandro Martinez is a good footballer but for your centre-half to be bullied like that… you cannot let that happen, it’s criminal.
‘Manchester United need a new back-four, they need a new back-four.’
Carrick will be desperate for his side to produce a better performance on Tuesday night when United visit Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
Manchester United beat Sabah in their Champions League opener while Atletico began their European campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool.
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