Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has defied club legend Paul Scholes by keeping seven of the eight players recommended for sale this summer. Only forward Joshua Zirkzee faces an imminent departure, leaving Scholes’ proposed squad purge entirely unheeded.
Carrick is reshaping his squad with pre-season underway following his permanent appointment in May. Midfield additions Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos have arrived after Casemiro’s exit, alongside an experienced goalkeeper. But the anticipated Old Trafford clearance has completely stalled.
Scholes demanded a total defensive overhaul when assessing the team back in April. On young defender Leny Yoro, he stated: “I think he’s struggled, me. I think there’s something in there, I think he needs a bit of time, but if you had to make a choice now, I’d probably sell him.”
Carrick refused to bite. On Noussair Mazraoui, Scholes questioned his tactical purpose, saying: “Sell. I don’t know where he fits in. He’s been like a right-sided centre-half and they don’t play with three centre-halves anymore. I think it’s probably time to let him go now.”
The club legend also called for Harry Maguire’s exit, arguing: “I’m thinking about a Manchester United team you want to win the league and the Champions League and that’s where United should be aiming. I’m not sure you’d do that with Maguire.”
Left-back Patrick Dorgu was another target. Scholes declared: “They brought him in as a wing-back and he’s not really played much there. I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him then he’s just a squad player.”
Despite additional calls to dump Luke Shaw, Manuel Ugarte, and Mason Mount, Carrick is holding firm. Only Zirkzee faces an exit to Juventus. Carrick is placing his trust in the existing dressing room to mount a serious title push.
