Paul Scholes sends Man Utd warning to Premier League shock leaders Arsenal
Paul Scholes believes Manchester United can be the ‘best of the rest’ this season, finishing second to Manchester City.
Erik ten Hag’s team is presently sixth in the league, with 15 points from their first eight games.
United had a rough start to the season, losing at home to Brighton and then being thrashed 4-0 by Brentford, but then won four straight games before the international break.
A 6-3 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City provided United with a harsh reality check, but the Red Devils returned to winning ways at the first attempt, defeating Everton at Goodison Park last weekend.
Manchester United trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points and local rivals Manchester City by eight, however they can close the gap if they win their game in hand.
While Manchester City are the only club yet to lose in the English Premier League this season, Pep Guardiola’s men are trailing in-form Arsenal, who have won 11 of their last 12 games in all competitions to take the early lead.
Despite Arsenal’s strong start, Scholes feels Manchester United have a roster capable of leapfrogging Arsenal and finishing second to defending champions Manchester City.
Asked if United can be the ‘best of the rest’ this season behind Manchester City, Scholes said on BT Sport: “Yeah, I think they can, they’ve got the squad to do that.
“They need to be more clinical though. We keep saying that. The chances they create… they’ve got to find goals from somewhere.
“There is goals in this team though. We see the fixtures they’ve got coming up and Manchester United are more than capable of beating most of those teams.”
The former England midfielder added: “After those first two games, I was really concerned that United wouldn’t finish in the top six.
“But the way they’ve fought back, winning five of their last six games, they’ve given themselves a great chance. They do look like they could be the best of the rest.
“I think they’ve got the squad of players that means they could be. It’s still very early days for some of these players, the manager and his staff as well. The longer it goes on, the more confident I’ll be of them getting in the top four.”
On Thursday night, Manchester United and Arsenal both won in the Europa League, against Cypriot side Omonia and Norwegian club Bodo-Glimt, respectively.
Owen Hargreaves detailed what would constitute a’successful’ season for the Red Devils under new manager Ten Hag before United’s 1-0 win over Omonia.
“This is one of the trophies they should try and win,” he said of the Europa League. “I think they’re one of the favourites, for sure.
“There are other trophies. The Premier League is obviously unrealistic, we saw that against Man City. But I think if they can finish in the top four and win a trophy it would be a great debut season from Erik ten Hag.”
On Sunday, Manchester United and Arsenal both return to Premier League action. Ten Hag’s team travels to Newcastle United, while the Gunners travel to Leeds United.
Paul Scholes sends Man Utd warning to Premier League shock leaders Arsenal
