Paul Scholes names Manchester United's worst ever signing because he 'couldn't kick a ball'
Paul Scholes had harsh words for a former team-mate when he spoke about Manchester United's worst ever signings.
He Red Devils The legend saw many world-class players pass through the doors of Old Trafford during his 20-year career at the club, but was not without some disappointing new arrivals.
Appearing in The debate among Overlap fansOne supporter argued that £85m recruits Antonio He should go down in history as United's worst signing of all time, having scored just 11 goals and provided five assists since arriving in Manchester in 2022.
Despite this, Scholastics Initially, Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón, with whom he played between 2001 and 2003, was suggested: “You know what, I was going to go a little bit further back than that.
“Verón was a great player, a talented player. I don't know why it didn't work out for him, but what a footballer he was.”
But he eventually settled on another former teammate, goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who joined United for the second time in his career since Aston Villa in 1999, a decade after he had problems with his work visa when he first arrived at the club from Australia.
Scholes continued: “I go back to the goalkeepers, when we had to replace them.” Peter Schmeichelwhich was always going to be difficult.
“Fabian Barthez was a great goalkeeper.
“I was thinking more about (Massimo) Taibi, Mark Bosnich… I thought he was a good goalkeeper at Villa, Mark.”
Despite Bosnich arriving with a reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the league, Scholes admitted to being surprised by his form.
The 11-time Premier League champion hit out at the Australian, saying: “He came to see us and was so unprofessional. Honestly, it was ridiculous.”
“In shooting practice, you usually have 15 to 20 minutes, and after three shots I was exhausted.
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“And I never realized that he couldn't even kick a ball. Honestly, I'd never seen anything like that.”
Detailing Bosnich's shortcomings, Scholes explained: “We played Everton He played the first game of the season and none of us noticed: he couldn't get to half court.
“And there was no wind, it was a perfect day.
“But then you look at his feet… size 14. Honestly, he was just kicking the ground, with big flippers on. Disappointing.”
Clearly it wasn't just Scholes who failed to approve of the former Australia international, who would go on to make just 23 league appearances over two seasons at the club before leaving for Chelsea in 2001.
Discussing other candidates for United's worst ever signing, Antony, Scholes admitted: “Yeah, when you talk about the money, and also the value for money, it hasn't been great, has it?
“Think about (Alexis) Sanchez Also. Big disappointment of Arsenal.”
However, Scholes was not persuaded to put Bosnich at the top of his list, confirming: “My worst choice? I'm going to go with Bosnich.”
In the same episode, the United academy graduate also spoke about the club's best ever signing, with two notable names leading the way.
Scholes reserved special praise for the French maverick. Eric Cantonawho lifted four league titles at Old Trafford after arriving for a £1m transfer fee in 1992.
On whether Cantona is the best Premier League signing of all time, he said: “Yeah, I think he has to be. I think they were missing that last piece of the puzzle and that was him.
“And for a million pounds. I know in those days that was probably still quite a lot of money.
“It wasn’t a huge amount of money, but for what he did for the club, for the money, for the value, for the merit, simply the influence he had on the football club was incredible.”
Despite this, Scholes named the club's all-time leading scorer as their top winner in this category, finishing: “I was going to say Wayne Rooney He's the best.
“Wayne Rooney for £25m was ridiculous. Five league titles, he’s the top scorer, 253 goals.”
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