“BREAKING: ‘Ruben Amorim isn’t this team’s problem—people are wrong. It’s this one Manchester United player dragging the club down,’ reveals Paul Scholes. Not Amorim. Only God knows how many times this player has cost us this season. 😤
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Full Article
The atmosphere around Manchester United has been tense lately. With Ruben Amorim in the hot seat, many have been quick to assign blame to the manager for the club’s failings. But now, legendary former United midfielder Paul Scholes has thrown a curve‑ball: Amorim is not the real problem. According to Scholes, there’s one player—with recurring mistakes and lacklustre performances—who is tarnishing the image of the club far more than Amorim ever could. Scholes argues that this player has cost United repeatedly this season, sometimes in moments when the difference between victory and defeat hinges on small errors.
In Scholes’ view, the problem isn’t tactics, formation, or even the coach’s man‑management—it’s this player who, more than once, has been directly responsible for costly lapses, missed chances, defensive blunders, or simply failing to deliver when the team desperately needed him. He laments that despite the many chances given, this player continues to underperform, letting down both teammates and fans. Scholes suggests that a rotation or benching might actually lift the overall performance of the team, by reducing the margin for error this individual brings.
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The Context: Why Scholes Speaks Up
United supporters have watched with dismay as their team has faltered, especially in crucial fixtures. Poor defensive organisation, lack of pressing at the right times, and individual mistakes have all been cited as weaknesses. Media pundits and former players have repeatedly questioned the character, attitude, and consistency of several current United stars. Scholes, with his deep understanding of what it takes to succeed at Old Trafford, doesn’t spare criticism. His point is that leadership, reliability, and accountability must come from the starting XI—and if one player is consistently letting everyone else down, the burden on the group becomes heavier.
Fans often look for scapegoats—players who frequently appear in negative highlight reels. Scholes argues that while Amorim’s tactics or decisions may invite scrutiny, the club’s decay, in some matches, has been precipitated by individual errors rather than systemic failings. In his mind, identifying who is truly responsible is essential if United are to arrest their decline.
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Who Could This Be, and What Kind of Errors Are We Talking About?
Scholes didn’t name the player publicly—but the pattern he describes points to someone in the first team who has:
committed defensive lapses in critical moments (e.g., leaving space, losing key duels, misreading opposition moves),
been inconsistent, switching between decent performances and unacceptable mistakes, especially under pressure,
demonstrated weak decision‑making in high‑stakes moments (missed passes, bad positioning, stepping out at the wrong time, etc.), and
possibly let down team morale or confidence.
The player could be someone who plays in defence or in a position where errors directly lead to conceding goals or losing control of games—such as centre‑back, full‑back, defensive midfield—or even an attacker whose misses or turnovers have swung momentum away from United.
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The Consequences: What These Mistakes Cost United
Scholes’ point is not just about embarrassment—he believes these errors are directly costing points. When a defender fails to cover, a midfielder is late closing down, or a forward wastes a clear chance, United pay dearly. Over the course of a season, repeated mistakes like that can cost the club:
1. Dropped points in matches that should have been won or at least salvaged.
2. Wounded confidence, both for the team as a unit and for fans. A club of United’s stature is judged harshly for putting in “flat” or “sleepy” performances.
3. Credibility among supporters, media, and potential signings: if players are seen as weak in big moments, the club’s status suffers.
4. Pressure on the manager, because errors from individuals feed the narrative that the coach is failing, even if the tactical ideas are sound.
Scholes suggests that these individual failings are more damaging than Amorim’s alleged missteps. According to him, a single player’s repeated lapses undermine everything: tactics, coaching, morale. Some games are lost before they’re fully played because of such early‑game or mid‑game errors.
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Why Amorim Isn’t the Problem (According to Scholes)
While many have blamed Amorim for losing matches, sticking with questionable formations, or presiding over a squad that seems disjointed, Scholes disagrees. Here’s how he defends Amorim:
Tactical stability: Amorim has given the team structure, a clear plan, and identity.
Effort from the squad: He sees commitment in training, discipline, and in certain games, even when the result hasn’t gone United’s way.
Not everything is coachable: Some mistakes are due to momentary lapses of concentration, mental errors, or lack of confidence—these can’t always be solved by training or tactics alone.
Presence of weak links: No matter how good the manager is, a squad with individuals who don’t consistently perform well will always have vulnerabilities.
Scholes’ argument is essentially this: Amorim may need to do better, but the club’s decline is being accelerated by this player whose mistakes are recurring and costly—not just against small teams, but in marquee matches. That player’s failures amplify others’ weaknesses.
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What Needs to Happen Now
If Scholes is correct, the remedy isn’t simple—but here are the logical steps the team should consider:
1. Accountability: That player needs to face scrutiny. Whether through benching, rotation, or more public critique, there must be consequences for repeat failings.
2. Support and coaching: Some mistakes may be rooted in psychological pressure. If confidence is low, then mental coaching, defensive drills, and extra mentoring might help.
3. Competition: Bring in or give more chances to players who are putting in performances reliably. If the position is underperforming, a backup should get a chance.
4. Culture reset: United should re‑emphasize standards—on the pitch, in training, in attitude. Sometimes players become complacent, especially in big clubs. Resetting expectations matters.
5. Fan patience—but not tolerance of poor displays: Support is vital, but fans expect quality, commitment, and fewer mistakes in big games.
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The Broader Message: Leadership, Legacy, and Expectations
Scholes, more than most, is aware of what Manchester United used to be and what fans expect. He’s sung enough anthems, gone through enough finals, and been part of enough title races to understand when things are slipping. His criticism isn’t just negative; it’s born of love for the club and frustration at seeing it underachieve.
By singling out a player rather than laying everything at the manager’s feet, Scholes is also urging the rest of the squad to reflect. If one person is continually underperforming, it affects all: defenders scramble, attackers have to compensate, fans lose faith. United is one of the world’s most scrutinised clubs; small margins make big differences.
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Final Thoughts
What Paul Scholes is saying is provocative—but important. Leadership doesn’t just come from the manager; it comes from every player, especially those trusted to perform week in, week out. Amorim may not be blameless, but Scholes insists the spotlight should be turned toward individual accountability.
Only God knows exactly how many matches have been affected, how many goals conceded, how many points dropped because of this unnamed player. But according to Scholes, the cumulative weight of those errors is doing more damage to the club’s reputation than any tactical misstep. If Manchester United are to restore their status, they must address the weak link—not just in name, but in action.
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