“I think they’ve got a chance”
Paul Scholes has suggested that Manchester United are better equipped to challenge for the Champions League and Premier League than they were last season, thanks to their improved squad depth.
The Red Devils made it to the final of last season’s Europa League, but, despite being heavy favourites, were beaten 11-10 on penalties by Spanish outfit Villarreal following a 1–1 draw after extra time.
Although Ole Gunnar Solskjær fielded a strong starting XI for the final, the United manager didn’t make a substitute until the 100th minute when he replaced Mason Greenwood with Fred. Considering this, it would be fair to assume that the 48-year-old had a lack of faith in those who were sat on the substitute’s bench.
However, after a successful summer transfer window that saw Cristiano Ronaldo return to the club, Jadon Sancho finally make the move to Old Trafford and serial winner Raphael Varane join the ranks, Scholes now believes that United have the strength-in-depth to properly challenge for glory.
"We've got four special teams in the tournament this year."
Paul Scholes and Joe Cole believe that the English clubs have plenty of reason to be optimistic in this season's Champions League 📈#UCL pic.twitter.com/2dLTcXhGGP
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 14, 2021
“I think they’ve got a chance, the transfer window was big for them,” said the former Red Devils midfielder, speaking on BT Sport ahead of United’s nightmarish tournament opener against Young Boys.
“You got back to the Europa League final and they probably had 11 or 12 players that you felt were good enough to win a trophy and he couldn’t make a substitute.
“He didn’t have the trust in those five or six players to come onto the pitch, but now he’s got that –Â you look at the bench or what can come into this squad… Rashford not involved, Cavani not involved, Greenwood, Martial.
“All of a sudden, there’s a group of 15 or 16 players that could potentially go on and win the Champions League and fight for the Premier League as well.”
As well as Young Boys, United will face-off against Villarreal – the side that beat them in the Europa League final just four months ago – and Italian side Atalanta in their Champions League group.
They will be hoping that they can comfortably progress through their group and from there, really putting their much improved squad-depth to the test.
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- Cristiano Ronaldo shot injures security guard during warm up
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- Jamie Carragher questions whether Cristiano Ronaldo will make Man Utd a better team
