Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has voiced his concerns over the current tactical approach at Old Trafford under new boss Ruben Amorim. Speaking on Sky Bet’s The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes argued that the Red Devils’ overemphasis on tactics is stripping players of the freedom and creativity they once enjoyed.
United, currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League after three consecutive losses, have struggled to find form despite some promising results in the Europa League and a recent FA Cup victory over Arsenal. Scholes, who spent his entire professional career at United and made over 700 appearances, has closely monitored the team’s pre-match routines and believes their tactical setup is causing performance issues.
“Nowadays, with football being so tactical, I feel like the life has been sucked out of the players,” Scholes said. “When I was playing, I wanted to play with more freedom. I’ve been watching Manchester United the last few weeks, and I’ve noticed that they’re practicing the team shape down to the minute details.”
Scholes pointed out that the club’s warm-up sessions, which traditionally focus on ball control and individual flair, now seem overly regimented. “The warm-up is there to enjoy having the ball at your feet and to practice your touch,” he added. “But now, the focus is entirely on tactics. They’re even rehearsing set-pieces in front of the fans, which just seems odd to me.”
Under Amorim’s guidance, United have shifted from the fluid style familiar under former boss Erik ten Hag to a more structured system that employs wing-backs and a high press with a five-man backline. While this approach has its merits, Scholes worries that the rigid focus on tactical details is causing players to lose their instinctive creativity.
“I’m not sure I’d be able to deal with it if I were playing,” Scholes remarked. “I want to see good bits of play—defenders launching the ball into midfield, wingers taking on full-backs. I’m not as fascinated by working out the tactical elements as I once was.”
As Manchester United continue to search for answers on both the pitch and in the locker room, Scholes’ comments underscore a broader debate about whether an excessive focus on tactics may be stifling the natural talents of the team’s players.
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