Former midfielder Paul Scholes believes Manchester United need to sign at least seven players to avoid a serious decline, while questioning the quality of the current squad under coach Ruben Amorim.

Manchester United are having a difficult season despite appointing Ruben Amorim as head coach. The Red Devils have been inconsistent in form, causing many experts to worry about the future of the team. In that context, former player Paul Scholes has criticized the current squad, while emphasizing that Man United need a strong overhaul if they want to regain their competitive position.

Scholes asserted that MU lacks a solid framework, something that top teams like Liverpool and Man City have. He emphasized that Manchester United’s current squad is not strong enough to compete for the championship and needs seven new players to rebuild.

“There are a few concerns. There’s a lot of work that Ruben Amorim needs to do, we all know that, especially in the transfer window, but I don’t see a core squad,” Scholes told The Overlap Fan Debate.

“When you look at the top teams, you see a clear backbone. Liverpool have a great goalkeeper, solid centre-backs, quality midfielders and quality strikers. I don’t think Manchester United have any of those positions.”

Scholes believes the Red Devils need a new goalkeeper, two centre-backs, two central midfielders and two strikers to form a solid skeleton. He stressed that only by building a truly strong “backbone” can the team add the right elements to improve quality.

Scholes also questioned the ability of current players, including highly-rated names such as Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro. When asked if De Ligt could help United win the Premier League, Scholes was blunt:

“Not really. Where is his ambition? Can you win the Premier League with De Ligt and Yoro as a centre-back? Is ‘quite good’ good enough for Manchester United?”

Scholes also expressed concerns about Lisandro Martinez’s form, stressing that even at his best, he is not good enough to help United compete for the title. He also questioned De Ligt’s development, as the player has been released by big clubs:

“With De Ligt, his age and the number of clubs he has played for worries me. He seems to get worse over time. Those clubs have dropped him for a reason.”

In addition to the defence, Scholes also questioned the development of Kobbie Mainoo, a young talent who is receiving high expectations at Old Trafford. The former England midfielder believes Mainoo is lost and has yet to find his best position on the pitch.

“I think Mainoo has lost his form. I’ve said before about Declan Rice losing his form – I think Mainoo has lost his form. They don’t know what to do with him.”

Scholes also believes Mainoo is not suited to the second central midfield role, due to his lack of mobility and physicality. According to him, Mainoo is better suited to the No. 10 role, but can never play as a false No. 9.

Scholes’ candid comments have sparked debate about the future of Manchester United. Given the current situation, without quality additions in the transfer window, the Red Devils could continue to slide and fall into a real crisis.