“With what I saw them play against Leeds in the friendly, I can say that a couple of Man United players are not ready for the coming season. I think it only gets worse from here” – This is according to Paul Scholars as he attacks several “flop” Man United players after their display again Leeds United ‎

“With What I Saw Against Leeds, Some Man United Players Are Not Ready for the Season” – Paul Scholars Delivers Brutal Verdict After Preseason Flop Performance

 

The preseason is meant to be a period of preparation, tactical fine-tuning, and squad sharpening — but for Manchester United, it’s already drawing strong criticism following their underwhelming performance in a recent friendly match against Leeds United. One of the harshest critics to voice his opinion is renowned football analyst and former midfielder Paul Scholars, who did not mince words when assessing the team’s performance.

 

> “With what I saw them play against Leeds in the friendly, I can say that a couple of Man United players are not ready for the coming season. I think it only gets worse from here,” Scholars declared during a post-match segment that has since gone viral across sports media.

 

 

 

💥 A Blunt Wake-Up Call

 

The match, which ended in a lackluster performance from United’s side despite high expectations, has raised fresh concerns among supporters and pundits alike. While preseason games are traditionally viewed as low-stakes affairs, the manner of United’s disjointed play and visible lack of intensity has triggered alarm bells just weeks before the Premier League kicks off.

 

Scholars was particularly scathing in his breakdown, targeting specific players he felt were completely off the pace, though he stopped short of naming individuals directly. Still, fans and media have been quick to speculate who might be in the firing line.

 

> “There was no urgency, no structure, and certainly no chemistry in the midfield,” Scholars continued. “Some of these lads are playing like they’re still on vacation. This isn’t a beach tour — this is Manchester United. And if they think they can sleepwalk into this season, they’re in for a rude awakening.”

 

 

 

🚨 “Flop” Players Under Fire

 

Though Scholars didn’t identify names during his commentary, many believe his words were aimed at underperforming first-team regulars, including certain defenders and midfielders who looked sluggish and uninspired throughout the match.

 

One particular moment that drew the ire of both fans and analysts alike was a defensive blunder that nearly gifted Leeds a goal — exposing poor communication and coordination between the centre-backs and goalkeeper.

 

On the offensive front, United’s lack of cutting edge in the final third also came under scrutiny. Despite fielding several exciting young talents, the team failed to create clear goal-scoring opportunities, and many of the more experienced players looked either out of sync or unfit.

 

> “They had nothing to offer in terms of creativity. The ball was just being recycled side to side — no imagination, no bite,” Scholars noted. “And the few players that did try to push forward were let down by the others around them. That’s not how a team prepares for a new season.”

 

 

 

⚽ A Deeper Issue of Readiness?

 

Scholars’ criticism hints at a more serious underlying problem: a lack of mental and physical readiness among United’s senior squad. While preseason is rarely a perfect indicator of competitive performance, the complete absence of cohesion and urgency suggests something deeper may be amiss.

 

Fans are already questioning whether the club’s ongoing transfer strategy, fitness regime, and internal morale are sufficient to take on the challenges of the 2025/26 Premier League season — especially with rivals strengthening heavily in the transfer market.

 

Scholars concluded his remarks with a stark warning:

 

> “This club has world-class facilities, a rich legacy, and one of the biggest fanbases in the world — but what I saw on that pitch today didn’t reflect any of that. The coaching staff needs to wake a few of them up before it’s too late.”

 

 

 

🧠 Fans React: “He’s Right — We Look Lost!”

 

Supporters, while disheartened by the tone of Scholars’ remarks, largely agreed with his sentiments. Social media was flooded with reactionary comments, many echoing his disappointment and calling for immediate changes:

 

“Paul is spot on. We’ve got too many passengers in this team.”

 

“It’s not about winning preseason — it’s about showing effort. And we didn’t.”

 

“If this is how we look against Leeds, what happens when we face City or Arsenal?”

 

 

🔎 What Happens Next?

 

With a handful of friendlies still to play before the league resumes, Manchester United will be under immense pressure to show signs of improvement — both tactically and mentally. Questions are also being raised about whether certain players should be dropped, loaned out, or replaced altogether before the transfer window closes.

 

The next few weeks could be crucial for manager Erik ten Hag (or any current manager) and the club’s technical staff, who must decide who is ready to wear the shirt — and who isn’t.

 

Because as Paul Scholars has made brutally clear: “It’s only going to get worse from here… unless something changes.”