Thursday, 21st August, 2014



Manchester United legend Paul Scholes admits he is concerned that his former club could follow the path set by Liverpool in the 1990s, slipping from domination into the wilderness.

The Red Devils won their 20th top flight crown in 2012/13, but saw legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson stand down, which resulted in a seventh place finish last term.



They now have experienced Dutchman Louis van Gaal at the helm, but lost their Premier League opener at home to Swansea on Saturday.

And with a lack of activity in the transfer market, Scholes is concerned that Manchester United are falling hard and fast, in a similar way to arch-rivals Liverpool.

 


"I am scared for United. Genuinely scared that they could go into the wilderness in the same way that Liverpool did in the 1990s", he wrote in his column for the Independent.

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"I realise that it is just 15 months since United won the league for the 20th time in the club’s history. I know that it is still the most commercially successful club in the country. It has the biggest stadium in the Premier League, and the biggest match-day revenue. But ultimately all a club’s success and standing are built on the foundations of what happens on the pitch."

And Scholes believes the only way for Van Gaal to restore Manchester United to the top of the pile will be to snap up five top notch players before the transfer window slams shut.

"After the defeat to Swansea City, and only one player signed since the end of June, I feel it is time for major change. What do United need? Five players.

"Not five players with potential. Five experienced players… for now. Five proper players who can hit the ground running and turn the situation around. United’s forwards are as good as any team in the league. The problem is what comes behind them."

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