Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has delivered a frank assessment of the club's transfer history, singling out former goalkeeper Mark Bosnich as the worst signing during his illustrious Old Trafford career.
Scholes' Stinging Critique of a Former Teammate
Speaking on the popular football programme The Overlap, the midfield maestro, who won 11 Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies across two decades under Sir Alex Ferguson, did not hold back. While defending the much-maligned Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastián Verón – a £28 million British record signing in 2001 – Scholes turned his attention to the man tasked with replacing the legendary Peter Schmeichel.
"I go back to the goalkeepers, when we were trying to replace Peter Schmeichel, which was always going to be difficult," Scholes explained. "We had a few. I thought of [Massimo] Taibi, Mark Bosnich." He acknowledged Bosnich had been a good keeper at Aston Villa, but claimed his standards dropped dramatically upon arriving at United.
'Unprofessional' and 'Ridiculous' Training Ground Behaviour
Scholes' most damning criticism centred on Bosnich's attitude and work ethic. "He came to us and he was so unprofessional. Honestly, it was ridiculous," Scholes stated. He described a typical shooting practice session where outfield players would take 15 to 20 shots. "After three shots, he's in bits: 'Oh no, get someone else in.'"
The former England international also highlighted a surprising technical deficiency. "I never realised, he couldn't kick a football. I'd never seen anything like it." Scholes recalled a specific opening day match against Everton where this weakness was exposed. "On a perfect day with no wind, he couldn't reach the halfway line. If you looked at his feet, size 14, he was just kicking the floor with these massive flippers. Honestly, it was disappointing."
Bosnich's United Career: A Brief Return
Mark Bosnich's history with Manchester United was complex. He initially joined the club as a youngster in 1990 before returning to Australia and then establishing himself in the Premier League with Aston Villa in 1992.
After seven years as Villa's first-choice keeper, his performances earned him a move back to Old Trafford in 1999 as the direct successor to Schmeichel. Bosnich was the primary goalkeeper for the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons, winning a Premier League title, but was replaced by French international Fabien Barthez the following campaign.
Scholes' candid comments provide a rare insider's view into the challenges United faced in filling a goalkeeping void and the high standards of professionalism expected during the club's most successful era.
