Paul Scholes has expressed reservations about whether some Manchester United players can adapt to the tactical demands of incoming manager Ruben Amorim.
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Known for employing a three-at-the-back formation, Amorim’s tactical preference could be challenging for certain players at Old Trafford, particularly those in forward positions.
Scholes highlighted Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Diogo Dalot, and Noussair Mazraoui as potentially ill-suited to Amorim’s system, which could prioritize wing-backs over traditional wingers.
Amorim is expected to implement a formation that varies between 3-4-3, 3-4-2-1, or 3-5-2, structures that would require players to contribute both offensively and defensively. While United has depth at center-back, Scholes is concerned about the team’s options in the wing-back roles.
He questioned whether Rashford and Garnacho would be willing to take on the defensive responsibilities that Amorim’s system demands, particularly the necessity to track back.
Scholes also expressed doubts about the offensive capabilities of Dalot and Mazraoui, speculating that they may not be dynamic enough going forward to meet the demands of the wing-back position effectively.
For United to succeed, he noted, the team would need players willing to take on the “ugly” tasks of the game, suggesting that Amorim might face an uphill battle with some of United’s more attack-focused players.
He added that young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo could thrive under Amorim’s guidance, hinting at a potential role as one of the two central playmakers alongside Bruno Fernandes.
According to Scholes, Mainoo’s skill set could be well-suited to a more advanced role in Amorim’s setup, potentially positioning him as a key player in the new tactical arrangement.