‘Absolute disaster’ – Scholes has no time for current Man Utd star in midfield pairing debate; names Ten Hag signing he’d ‘much prefer’ to partner
Paul Scholes rubbished any notion a dream midfield pairing involving him and a current Man Utd star, instead naming a summer recruit he’d much prefer to partner.
Manchester United’s midfield has been the focal point for criticism in recent years. The likes of Fred and Scott McTominay never fail to give their all, though questions were raised as to whether they’re of the standard United require.
Erik ten Hag went some way to addressing the issue last summer. Christian Eriksen arrived on a free and has continued to operate in the double pivot role he first adopted while at Brentford.
Casemiro, meanwhile, has been everything United fans could’ve hoped for in the engine room. The Brazilian has been a calming influence in the engine room and has laid the platform for the more creative players around him to thrive.
The three demands Casemiro made before joining Man Utd were recently revealed. Once learning of his requests, United realised just how fantastic of a leader they were poised to sign.
On the subject of the Red Devils’ midfield, Paul Scholes was recently asked whether he’d prefer to partner Casemiro or Bruno Fernandes in a dream Man Utd midfield. Both are currently excelling for their respective countries in Qatar.
Scholes and Bruno? “An absolute disaster”
“It’s quite an easy question because of the style of play,” Scholes told Man Utd’s club media. “I’d much prefer to play with Casemiro, somebody who I knew could play the position really well.
“He probably reminds me of [Michael] Carrick, [Nicky] Butt, Roy Keane and those type of players.
“With Bruno, I think we would be all over the place and us two together in midfield would be an absolute disaster!
“Just both of us would want to be up the field, contributing and scoring goals and trying to win games. Look, if I had to choose out of the two, it would have to be Casemiro.”
The obvious follow-up question was whether he’d then prefer to play with Casemiro or Eriksen. Scholes has been a vocal backer of the Dane this season, while also taking shots at United’s reserve options.
“Again, probably Casemiro,” replied Scholes. “I love Christian Eriksen, I think he’s brilliant but a little bit more like me and just worried about the attacking side of things.
“Look, if me and Christian or Bruno played together, it could be 6-6 or 7-6. There could be any score. We’d concede a lot of goals but might score a few!
“Just having that added security of Casemiro. Like I said, Roy Keane, Nicky Butt, Michael Carrick could play the position perfectly and they’re the type of players I prefer to play with.”
Casemiro blown away by Man Utd support
In a separate interview with the club’s media, man of the moment Casemiro admitted he’s been taken aback by Man Utd’s support – both home and on the road.
When asked how the atmosphere’s in England compare to those in Spain, specifically at the Bernabeu, Casemiro said: “Both places have their good points, of course, but one of the things that has surprised me the most over here has been the supporters. The passion that they have for the game and how they really live for their football.
“When the weekend comes around, how the fans just live off their football. How the fans just exude football, and you can see that football is their passion and that football is their life.
“So it’s not just here at Old Trafford for the home games, but away from home too, wow, the fans are just incredible.
“The supporters, the atmosphere, the way the fans get behind us, just fantastic, and one of the things that has surprised me the most since coming to England.
“But you cannot want for anything more from our fans, and what’s more, you have to thank them for the way they support us and I have never seen anything like that before.”
