Premier League | David de Gea becoming a real problem for Manchester United: Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes that David de Gea’s poor form has been becoming a real problem for the Red Devils and that is something they need to address soon in order to stay alive in the race for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils registered a 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Sunday to stay in contention of challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title. However, they failed to keep a cleansheet once again, and questions were raised over the mistakes de Gea committed in the game.

“Yeah, [the clean sheet record is] not good enough. We mentioned it before the game, I think that is the biggest weakness in this team,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“David again, so sloppy, it’s becoming a real problem, having the confidence in your goalkeeper, and short corners, United had one out for two or three corners, this is the one where David again, can you catch that? He punches it into a really bad area,” he added.

Manchester United have kept only eight Cleansheets in the 25 Premier League games they have played this season and Scholes believes that they need to spend more funds in the transfer market in order to improve their defence.

“I said before the game I think that they’re missing a real dominant centre-back. You look back at the history of the teams that win leagues, they have real leaders in the back four.

“I think Maguire possibly could be but I think they need somebody with him who could be really dominant in that position, really commanding, can bully a centre-forward, can demand from the rest of the squad around him on and off the pitch as well. I just think they’re missing that,” Scholes opined.

At the same time, Scholes also mentioned that they aren’t that far off from finding the winning formula. In fact, he is very impressed with how their midfielders and forwards have performed in this season.

“I don’t think we’re that far off at all. I think the attacking play, the midfield play, Paul Pogba’s looked a brilliant player, the player we hoped we’d bought. Fred and (Scott) McTominay are doing well, McTominay especially, and the attacking players.

“A young (Mason) Greenwood coming of age really. This lad could be a superstar. You’ve got (Marcus) Rashford, you’ve got (Anthony) Martial. Martial’s struggling for confidence I suppose but that lad’s got real ability.

“We’ve got the experience of (Edinson) Cavani, there’s goals in the team, (Bruno) Fernandes, I’ve not even spoke about Fernandes.

“I just think a real dominant centre-half with authority. It could take United to that next level.”