Paul Scholes urges Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim to learn from Mikel Arteta
Amidst a season marked by both failures and glimpses of progress, Paul Scholes has reignited debate with a comparison that resonates in both London and Manchester. Arsenal, having been knocked out of the Champions League by PSG, are now facing the final stretch of the campaign without silverware but with a solid foundation in place. Meanwhile, Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United sit in a dismal fifteenth place in the Premier League, yet still hold a tangible shot at redemption in the Europa League final against Tottenham.
In this context, Scholes has offered a critical yet constructive perspective. Writing in his TNT Sports column, the United legend praised the work Mikel Arteta has done at Arsenal, reminding readers of how the Spaniard inherited a fractured squad and gradually rebuilt it into a team capable of challenging at the top. According to Scholes, Amorim should look to follow a similar model, not by copying Arteta’s blueprint verbatim, but by embracing the underlying principles of patient, methodical squad-building.
While United may end the season with a Europa League trophy, Scholes emphasised that he would rather be in Arsenal’s position, a club with a clear identity and a solid tactical framework, even without silverware. For Scholes, the focus should not be on immediate success but on laying the foundations for sustainable, long-term progress, a philosophy that Amorim will need to adopt if United are to reclaim their place among England’s elite.
Paul Scholes wants Ruben Amorim to learn from Mikel Arteta
For Paul Scholes, consistency, progress, and stability matter far more than fleeting success. In his eyes, Rúben Amorim’s task at Manchester United isn’t just about winning a single trophy, it’s about rebuilding a club in crisis from the ground up. Scholes pointed to Mikel Arteta’s work at Arsenal as the ideal blueprint, a project that has transformed a struggling side into a genuine contender despite not yet delivering silverware.
Arsenal’s current position in second place, while criticised by some, represents a substantial leap forward in Scholes’ view. The former United midfielder believes that if Amorim can elevate United to that level over the next few years, then the club will be back in contention for the major trophies.
“I think Mikel Arteta has done an absolutely brilliant job at Arsenal since he first joined the club. He could possibly finish second for the third year in a row and I think Ruben Amorim can take a lot from what Arteta has done over these last five to six years at Arsenal. Imagine if Amorim can get United up to second in the Premier League and into the semi-final of the Champions League in the next three or four years. I would swap United’s season this year for Arsenal’s campaign even if they go on and win the Europa League. All day long.”
“Arsenal just need to get over that line. The next step for them is going on and winning a big one, and I don’t think they’re far off achieving that. We can all say they keep finishing second, but it’s a lot closer compared to where Man Utd are right now. I would like United to be in a position where they get the chance to “bottle it” if that makes sense. It wouldn’t be a bad example for Amorim to take. He can have a look at Arsenal and just study what Arteta has done over recent years, and it might be the starting block for United. I believe once Man Utd can start finishing second and manage to make it into the Champions League semi-finals, they have the experience and history to go on and win it because they’ve proven they can do it. A team like Arsenal haven’t constantly proven that they can go and win big trophies year after year.”
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Since taking over midway through the season, Rúben Amorim has delivered a mixed bag at Manchester United. On the positive side, he has managed to stabilise certain areas of the squad, giving valuable minutes to young players and working to heal a divided dressing room. However, results on the pitch have remained inconsistent. While United have shown glimpses of character in Europe, they continue to struggle domestically, dropping crucial points and failing to impose themselves against key opponents.
Amorim’s tenure thus far has yet to produce a clearly defined playing style. The team still lacks a recognisable identity, and there is little coherence between phases of play. The upcoming Europa League final against Tottenham could salvage what has been an uneven campaign, but the broader reconstruction project has not progressed as firmly as expected.
Looking ahead to next season, Amorim faces a pivotal decision: does he commit to a high-pressing, front-foot approach, or opt for a more structured, low-block system with rapid transitions? Defining a core starting eleven, consolidating player roles, and aligning transfer targets with a clear tactical vision must be the priorities.
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