Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has sent shockwaves through English football with a controversial assessment of the current Premier League landscape, claiming the overall quality has dramatically declined since his playing days.
The Brutal Verdict That's Shaking English Football
In a stunning revelation that's set to divide football fans across the nation, Scholes didn't hold back when comparing today's top-flight action to the era when he dominated midfield for Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary sides.
"I watch the Premier League now and I'm just not sure it's as good as it was," the former England international declared, delivering a blow to those who believe modern football represents the peak of the beautiful game.
Scholes Points Finger at Declining Standards
The outspoken pundit highlighted several areas where he believes the Premier League has lost its edge:
- Diminished midfield battles compared to his era of competing against legends
- Questionable quality across multiple teams in the division
- A noticeable drop in the intensity that defined earlier Premier League seasons
"I look at the teams now, even the teams near the bottom, and I just think the standard isn't as good," Scholes elaborated, suggesting that even relegation-threatened sides from his playing days would fare better against today's competition.
Manchester United's Current Woes Under Spotlight
Scholes didn't spare his beloved former club from criticism either, offering a sobering perspective on their current struggles under Erik ten Hag. While United sit eighth in the table, Scholes believes their position flatters them given the overall decline in league quality.
The stark reality, according to Scholes, is that United's current squad would be torn apart by the teams he played in, despite the massive financial investment and global recruitment in recent years.
A Warning to Modern Football Fans
This isn't just nostalgic ramblings from a retired footballer - Scholes' comments strike at the heart of debates about football's evolution. While the Premier League boasts unprecedented global appeal and financial power, one of its most decorated players suggests the actual football quality hasn't kept pace.
The question now facing fans and pundits alike is whether Scholes has identified a genuine decline or if this represents the natural tendency for former players to romanticise their own eras.
One thing's certain: this bombshell assessment from one of English football's most respected voices is guaranteed to spark fierce debate in pubs and stadiums across the country.
