Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has launched a scathing attack on Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro, claiming the trio no longer have the physical ability required for Premier League football. The former Red Devils midfielder turned pundit believes all three have fallen below the required level, claiming they lack both speed and strength.
Maguire, 32, and Shaw, 30, were left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad during the October international break, while there have been concerns about former Real Madrid star Casemiro’s fitness level, 33, since his move to Old Trafford. Scholes told The Times: “Shaw, Maguire, Casemiro, they were all great players, but they’re at a stage in their careers where if they’re not physical enough they’re going to be exposed in the Premier League.
“Their bodies aren’t athletic enough, they’re not strong enough, they’re not quick enough. They’re down to a point where they can’t cope with what the Premier League requires.”
“Every player in the Premier League is an absolute machine. They’re five per cent body fat, they can run, they’re strong, they can head the ball. There are two or three players at Manchester United who can’t handle that.”
Looking ahead to Sunday’s clash with arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield, Scholes suggested United may have been “obsessed” with signing the Brazilian, having forked out £70m to secure the player from Real Madrid three years ago.
“We were drawn into that incident, and there have been quite a few like that,” Scholes added.
Former United midfielder Nick Butt echoed similar sentiments.
“Real Madrid never lets go of their best players.[Raphael]Varane and Casemiro were both incredible players at the beginning of their careers,” he said.
“It’s difficult to challenge them because they have done more than I have ever done, but Real Madrid will not sell their top players to Man United’s European rivals.”
Maguire is hoping to secure a new contract at Old Trafford, with his existing contract set to expire at the end of the season.
