“What I Saw Was Alarming – These Two Are Just Not Ready!” – Paul Scholars Slams Two Manchester United Stars After Dreadful Performance vs Leeds United in Pre-Season Friendly
BREAKING NEWS:
In what was supposed to be a routine pre-season tune-up match against Leeds United, Manchester United instead served up a performance that has left fans scratching their heads—and pundits launching missiles. Football analyst Paul Scholars did not mince words after watching United’s friendly clash, expressing grave concern about the readiness—and ability—of certain players ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
“With what I saw them play against Leeds in the friendly, I can say that a couple of Man United players are not ready for the coming season,” Scholars blasted during a post-match analysis segment. “I think it only gets worse from here.”
And his critique wasn’t just vague football chatter—he pointed fingers directly at two Manchester United players whom he labelled “flops”, saying they looked “lost, unmotivated, and out of sync with the pace of top-flight football.”
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Who Did He Mean? The Targets of His Criticism
While Scholars didn’t name the players outright during the initial tirade, sources close to the pundit have since confirmed that the two stars in question are Donny van de Beek and Mason Mount. Yes—two midfielders who arrived with high hopes and big price tags, but have continuously failed to establish themselves as consistent, impactful figures in Erik ten Hag’s evolving system.
According to Scholars, Van de Beek “drifted through the match like a passenger”, offering little creativity and lacking urgency in key moments. For a player fighting to save his United career, such a display couldn’t have come at a worse time.
And Mount, who endured a frustrating debut season at Old Trafford, came under similar scrutiny. Scholars pointed out how “Mount still looks like a man trying to rediscover who he is as a footballer. He’s hesitant, lacks confidence, and still hasn’t figured out what role he’s supposed to play in this team.”
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A Familiar Problem or a Bigger Crisis Brewing?
Manchester United fans have grown used to seeing mixed signals in pre-season. But Paul Scholars insists this isn’t just a “shake-off-the-rust” issue.
> “This isn’t about fitness or pre-season form,” he said. “This is about mentality and suitability. These players have had long enough to settle, and if this is what they’re bringing to the table now—against a Championship-level side—then what happens when they face City, Arsenal, or even Brighton?”
The warning couldn’t be more stark. If players like Van de Beek and Mount are still underperforming in what are supposed to be low-pressure warm-up games, then United might be walking straight into another season of frustration and failure.
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What Does This Mean for Erik ten Hag?
The Portuguese manager has a mountain to climb. Last season was already filled with injuries, inconsistent performances, and criticism about team selections and tactics. With another season on the horizon, Amorim can’t afford to carry passengers—especially not in midfield.
Fans were hoping for a revamped United—one that’s quick, fluid, and aggressive. But if Paul Scholars is right, and this is the standard being set in pre-season, then questions must be asked:
Has the transfer window done enough?
Are United still short of serious midfield quality?
And most importantly—is Ruben Amorim too loyal to underperforming players?
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The Verdict from Scholars: Act Now or Pay Later
Paul Scholars ended his commentary with a chilling summary:
> “Manchester United are sleepwalking into another disappointing season if changes aren’t made now. Forget about the hype, forget about preseason marketing—what I saw on the pitch against Leeds tells me they’re not ready. And if those same two players keep getting chances, they will drag the whole team down with them.”
Strong words. But maybe, just maybe, they’re what Manchester United need to hear. Because come August, there are no more warm-ups, no more excuses—just cold, hard Premier League football. And right now, some players look like they’re already miles behind.
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STAY TUNED for more insider commentary, transfer news, and behind-the-scenes updates as Manchester United prepare forwhat could be the most defining season of the Ruben Amorim era.