Paul Scholes has said Manchester United are still 'a little bit away' from challenging Arsenal for the Premier League title, despite the progress made under Michael Carrick. The former United midfielder, who won 11 league titles at Old Trafford, believes the current squad lacks the reliability and athleticism needed in central areas to compete with the defending champions.
Carrick's impact and United's rise
United looked set to miss out on Champions League qualification, and perhaps even European football altogether, last season until Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford hot-seat. Carrick guided the Red Devils to a third-place finish after taking over in January, with United finishing just seven points behind local rivals Manchester City.
The form shown in the second half of the campaign has led to calls that Carrick could mount a genuine bid for the Premier League title in his first full season in charge. However, Scholes, speaking on The Overlap, urged caution, pointing to the club's transfer business and the need for a stronger spine in the team.
Scholes on United's transfer priorities
'I think it comes from Michael Carrick's character. He's just a calm and relaxed character, he won't ever get too high or too low,' Scholes said. 'Where you have to judge United's transfer business is what do you expect from them? Are you expecting them to challenge for the Premier League? I still think that's a little bit away with the business that's been done.'
Scholes acknowledged improvements in the forward line but identified a need for another centre forward to support Benjamin Sesko. 'They could probably still do with another centre forward to help Sesko out a bit. He's still young and he did get better last season, there's no doubt about that,' he added.
The priority this summer, according to Scholes, has been the middle of the pitch, but he believes problems remain. 'It feels like the priority this summer has been the middle of the pitch and that area was a problem last season. I still think it's a problem, not just from centre midfield but centre half as well because every team that had joy against us, it felt like they were coming straight down the middle because of the lack of pace and mobility in there.'
Concerns over centre-back options
Scholes expressed doubts about the current centre-back options, citing fitness issues and quality concerns. 'I don't think the current ones are of the quality to try and win the Premier League and that's where I judge Man United. In that position you need players who are reliable every single week but United's are always picking up injuries.'
He specifically mentioned Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Leny Yoro, noting that Maguire is 'starting to pick up niggles,' Martinez 'just can't stay fit,' and Yoro 'has struggled a bit over the last two years and it looks like the level is a little bit above him,' though he added that Yoro is still young and might improve with Ayden Heaven.
Scholes also highlighted the challenge of midweek football for Carrick. 'The thing Michael Carrick is going to have to deal with now as well is midweek football. He had an unbelievable run last year but everything was in his favour if you know what I mean. Now all of a sudden he's got these extra games which will have an impact on the squad.'
Looking ahead
Despite his reservations, Scholes believes Carrick can eventually win the Premier League with United, but not this season. 'I think Michael Carrick can win the Premier League with Manchester United but it won't be this season. But if he can build the right team he can do that,' he said.
Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004 last season and reached the Champions League final, which they lost to PSG on penalties. The Gunners thumped Enzo Maresca's Manchester City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday and are enjoying another productive transfer window.
Manchester United kick-start their 2026-27 Premier League campaign against newly-promoted Hull City at the weekend. Arsenal, meanwhile, begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night against another former Championship side, Coventry City.
