Manchester United could "vanish into the wilderness" and need to "arrest their decline", according to legendary midfielder Paul Scholes, who says he is "genuinely scared" for his former club. Scholes, who spent his entire career at United after joining their youth academy in 1991, also believes new manager Louis van Gaal has to sign five new players. United finished seventh last season after a disappointing spell under former manager David Moyes, who was sacked after less than a year back in April. And, speaking to the Independent, Scholes said: "I'm sick of having to criticise the club to which I gave my life as a player, but United need to arrest their decline." The Red Devils this week completed the £16 million signing of Argentina defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon, making him their third summer signing following the arrivals of Luke Shaw and Ander Herrera. But Scholes, who hung up his playing boots last summer and briefly joined United's backroom staff following Moyes's dismissal, believes van Gaal has to sign up to five players before transfer deadline day on September 1. "What do they need? Five proper players who can hit the ground running and turn round a situation that looks desperate," he added. United lost their first game of the season against Swansea last weekend, the first time they have ever fallen to defeat against the Welsh club in the Premier League, and have already lost ground on Manchester neighbours City in the title race. Do you agree with Scholes's criticisms? Let us know in the comment section, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
