Scholes Sounds the Alarm: Time’s Up for Three Man United Stalwarts Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Paul Scholes rarely bites his tongue, and he hasn’t started now. With Manchester United returning from the October break to face Liverpool, the Old Trafford great has issued a stark verdict: it’s time to move past three of the club’s veteran mainstays — Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and Casemiro.

Scholes’ blunt assessment

Speaking ahead of United’s first game back, Scholes argued the Premier League’s physical bar has shot sky-high — and that Shaw, Maguire and Casemiro, all the wrong side of 30, no longer hit the tempo, power or athleticism required week in, week out. In short, he believes the trio struggle to cope with the speed and strength that define the division in 2025.

It’s a cold dose of reality from a man who knows United standards better than most. Under Sir Alex Ferguson, the club demanded excellence as a given. Last season’s finish — their lowest of the Premier League era — only sharpened the sense that the squad needs a harder reset.

What it means for Amorim

Ruben Amorim had his long-awaited pre-season and a full summer window to reshape the attack, yet inconsistency continues to dog United. The pressure is real, even if Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly pledged to keep faith with the Portuguese coach. If Scholes is right, Amorim’s next step is as clear as it is ruthless: prioritise legs and intensity over reputation, especially in the biggest fixtures.

For supporters tracking the narrative off the pitch as much as on it, you can size up the weekend’s markets via our best betting sites guides — but whatever the odds, Amorim’s selection calls will speak louder than any price.

Liverpool’s wobble raises the stakes

Arne Slot’s Liverpool hit an unexpected skid before the international break, losing three on the spin across the Premier League and Champions League. For the defending champions, it’s the sternest test of the Slot era so far — and it turns this showdown into a pressure cooker for both camps. United need momentum; Liverpool need a reset. Neither can stomach another misstep.

The trio under the microscope

Shaw has been a superb servant, but fitness and repeat sprints at elite level are unforgiving. Maguire’s aerial prowess and bravery remain, yet teams target wide open spaces when United’s line is stretched. Casemiro’s reading of the game is elite, but the league’s relentless runners demand constant coverage and recovery — that’s hard mileage at this stage of a career.

Scholes’ core point isn’t malice; it’s measurement. In a league of athletic monsters — iron lungs, low body fat, perpetual motion — you either keep pace or you get exposed. He believes United are carrying two or three who can’t quite live with that reality anymore.

Big calls, big consequences

So what does Amorim do? He can double down on experience and hope for control, or he can lean into mobility and aggression, even if it means brutal choices. If United want to look like a side reborn, they must run like one — and that may mean phasing out high-profile names sooner rather than later.

The message from Scholes is unmistakable: sentimentality won’t get United where they want to go. With Liverpool looming and the season’s narrative still malleable, the next team sheet could tell us everything about Amorim’s courage and United’s direction of travel.