PAUL SCHOLES DELIVERS BRUTAL VERDICT ON THREE UNITED PLAYERS AHEAD LIVERPOOL GAME
Man Utd legend Paul Scholes says Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro are no longer physically capable of handling the Premier League's demands, claiming they lack the required speed and strength.
Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, and Casemiro have all been under fire from Manchester United icon Paul Scholes, who has stated that they are no longer capable of handling the physical demands of the Premier League.
The former United midfielder-turned-pundit asserts that none of the three are powerful or quick enough and that they have fallen to a level below what is necessary.
Thomas Tuchel's England team for the October internationals did not include either Maguire, 32, or Shaw, 30, while Real Madrid legend Casemiro, 33, has had fitness issues ever since he moved to Manchester.
"Shaw, Maguire, and Casemiro have all been fantastic players, but they are at a point in their careers where you get discovered in the Premier League if you are not physically talented enough," Scholes stated in an interview with The Times.
"They lack the strength, speed, and athleticism necessary for their bodies. They have degraded to the point where they are unable to handle the demands of the Premier League.
"Every Premier League player is a complete machine. They can run, they are powerful, they can head it, and they have 5% body fat. Manchester United is carrying two or three players who simply cannot handle it.
Scholes has stated that he thinks United was "sucked into" acquiring the Brazilian from Real Madrid after spending £70 million to do so three years prior. This comes ahead of Sunday's matchup with bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Scholes remarked, "There have been quite a few like that, and we got dragged into that one."
Nick Butt, a fellow former United midfielder, concurred. "Real Madrid never lets their top players leave," he stated. Both Casemiro and [Raphaël] Varane were tremendous players previously in their careers.
"It is hard to compete with them since they have accomplished more than I have, but Real Madrid does not trade its best players to Man United, a rival team in Europe."
Maguire's current contract at Old Trafford is set to expire at the end of the current campaign; thus, he is hoping to sign a new one.
WHY MARCUS RASHFORD IS OFFICIALLY SNUBBING MICHAEL CARRICK’S MANCHESTER UNITED SOS RETURN PLEA
Marcus Rashford has no interest in a Manchester United return. Discover why he’s choosing a permanent £26m move to Barcelona instead.
Marcus Rashford isn’t looking back at Manchester United. After his loan to Barcelona, he’s made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Spain for good.
He landed at Barca last summer, a move that made sense after things soured for him at Old Trafford. Hansi Flick brought him in on a season-long loan, with a deal in place to buy him for €30 million (£26 million). Rashford wasted no time showing his worth—22 goal contributions in 32 games. He’s settled in fast, and the fans have noticed.
Earlier on, it sounded like Barcelona might try to haggle over the fee, maybe push for another loan or a cheaper deal. But now, according to Marca, that’s off the table. The club’s ready to pay what they agreed and make Rashford’s move permanent. Rashford wants it too. Everyone seems to be on the same page.
The Mirror reports Rashford has zero interest in heading back to Manchester. He wants his future sorted before England sets off for the 2026 World Cup in North America. No surprise there—he’s not looking to drag things out.
England’s first match is June 17 against Croatia, just two weeks after Barcelona’s season wraps up. Some talk suggested Michael Carrick, if he gets the United job permanently, could try to lure Rashford back. But honestly, Rashford’s mind is made up. He wants Spain, and that’s that.
Even if the Barcelona deal somehow falls through, Rashford would rather move elsewhere than wear United’s shirt again. If everything goes as planned, his transfer will be United’s first big move this summer.
He’s not the only one heading out. Casemiro’s already confirmed he’s leaving, and a few others might follow. United have juggled rumours about guys like Manuel Ugarte, Joshua Zirkzee, and Kobbie Mainoo, especially back in January. After Ruben Amorim left, Mainoo actually found himself in a stronger spot at United and has started every match since Carrick came back. Lately, there’s been a real push to get him into the England squad.
Meanwhile, United are fighting for a Champions League spot. If they make the top five, they’ll have more cash to play with this summer. Last year, they spent over £200 million beefing up the squad, even without European football.
If Rashford, Ugarte, and Zirkzee all leave, United will have even more flexibility to reshape the team. Top priorities? A central midfielder, a centre-forward, and a left winger before the 2026/27 season kicks off. This summer’s shaping up to be busy at Old Trafford.
COLE PALMER "OPEN" TO MANCHESTER UNITED SWITCH AMID HOMESICK RUMORS
Cole Palmer is reportedly open to a summer move to boyhood club Manchester United as claims of homesickness emerge at Chelsea.
Cole Palmer just can’t seem to escape transfer talk. Now, it’s Manchester United in the headlines, with rumours swirling that he’s homesick after spending two and a half years at Chelsea.
Apparently, Palmer wouldn’t mind a big summer move to United—his boyhood club—especially with fresh claims that he’s not exactly settled in London. He joined Chelsea from Manchester City in a £42.5 million deal and quickly became one of their main attacking threats. But now, the England international’s name keeps popping up in connection to a return up north.
The Sun says Palmer would be open if United came calling, since he grew up supporting them. But don’t expect him to head back to City while Pep Guardiola’s still the boss. That door’s basically closed.
It’s worth noting that Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, knows Palmer well from his time at City’s academy. Wilcox is a big fan—hard not to be, after Palmer racked up 15 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season.
Despite signing a new deal with Chelsea last year that runs until 2033, Palmer reportedly misses his hometown of Wythenshawe.
Injuries have made this season tough for him. He’s only managed 13 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, and he missed Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday because of a thigh problem. Liam Rosenior, Chelsea’s new head coach, confirmed that before the match.
Rosenior’s already tried to put a lid on the transfer rumours, especially the talk about Palmer being homesick. “I’ve spoken to Cole plenty of times, and he seems really happy here,” Rosenior said last week. “He’s a huge part of our long-term plans.
“My job—and the club’s—is to help him consistently play at his best. He was frustrated after the Brentford game, for sure. We need to take care of him, and that’s why I kept him out of the last match.”