Paul Scholes has questioned whether Kobbie Mainoo and Youri Tielemans can provide the midfield balance Manchester United need, arguing that neither player wins possession back often enough. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football following United’s draw with Fulham, Scholes focused on the composition of Michael Carrick’s midfield rather than questioning Mainoo or Tielemans individually.
He regards both as technically accomplished players but believes United lack the aggressive ball-winning presence required when they operate together. The distinction is important because Scholes is not arguing that either midfielder lacks ability on the ball. His concern is what happens when United lose it.
United’s problems without possession have become one of the major themes surrounding their difficult start to the season. Physical-performance data has placed Carrick’s side bottom of the Premier League across several high-intensity running measures, while separate analysis from The Athletic’s Liam Tharme says United have been joint-bottom among ever-present Premier League clubs for final-third regains since Carrick took charge.
Scholes believes the midfield itself is part of the problem. Mainoo’s strengths include his ability to receive the ball under pressure, carry possession through midfield and operate in tight spaces, while Tielemans also offers considerable technical quality and passing ability.
Put the two together, however, and Scholes questions who consistently performs the more destructive side of the midfield role. United need somebody capable of aggressively recovering possession, breaking up opposition attacks and allowing the team’s more technical players to operate with greater freedom.
In Scholes’ assessment, a Mainoo-Tielemans pairing does not provide enough of that quality. The issue becomes particularly important when United’s press is bypassed because, if the attacking players fail to win possession high up the pitch, the midfield behind them must be capable of stopping opponents progressing into dangerous areas.
When that does not happen, United can become extremely easy to play through. It helps explain why Carlos Baleba has become such an important figure in the tactical debate surrounding Carrick’s team.
Gary Neville has already suggested Carrick should consider using a three-man midfield after the international break, with Baleba providing the power and aggression behind Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. Scholes’ comments point towards the same underlying problem even if his proposed solution is not necessarily identical.
The question is one of balance. United can select technically gifted midfielders capable of controlling and progressing the ball, but Carrick also needs players capable of recovering possession when attacks break down.
That does not necessarily mean Mainoo and Tielemans cannot play together in any circumstances. Their effectiveness will depend partly on the structure around them, the opposition and the responsibilities Carrick gives the other players in the side, but Scholes does not believe the partnership currently gives United enough ball-winning ability.
For Carrick, that creates another decision during the international break. United’s problems without possession are increasingly being supported by both statistical and tactical analysis, making the balance of his midfield one of the most important issues to address before United return against Tottenham.
