He was the most expensive signing in England, but for Scholes, playing alongside him was a disaster

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has never been one to mince his words, and his recent appearance on Sky Sports' "The Overlap" was no exception. In a candid conversation with former teammate Gary Neville, Scholes opened up about his experiences playing alongside various midfielders throughout his illustrious career, and his assessment of Juan Sebastián Verón was particularly striking.

A Record-Breaking Signing That Fell Short

Verón's arrival at Old Trafford in 2001 was a momentous occasion. The Argentine midfielder joined from Lazio for a then-record £42 million, making him the most expensive player in English football at the time. Expectations were sky-high, but Verón failed to replicate the form that had made him a star in Serie A. After just two seasons, he was sold to Chelsea for a significantly reduced fee, leaving many to wonder what had gone wrong.

Scholes' Revelation: A Clash of Styles

According to Scholes, the problem was not Verón's individual ability, but rather the lack of synergy between their playing styles. "I played with Nicky (Butt), I played with Roy (Keane), and with Michael Carrick," Scholes explained. "I loved playing with all of them, but it wasn't great playing with people who were attacking-minded. I needed someone who was really good defensively."

"Verón and I Were a Disaster"

When Neville suggested Verón as an example of an attacking-minded midfielder, Scholes didn't hesitate. "Yeah, Verón and I were a disaster," he admitted. "I think Anderson and I did it once as well. But no, it doesn't work, does it? Just two lads who don't care about defending, don't know the defensive position that well."

The Need for Defensive Discipline

Scholes emphasized the importance of having a defensively disciplined midfielder alongside him. "I was much better with a Michael or a Roy or a Nicky," he said. "They were brilliant in that position, they knew it. I didn't know the position that well, didn't play the position that well, as you know."

A Parting of Ways

Verón's time at Manchester United was ultimately unsuccessful, and he left the club in 2003 after making just 81 appearances and scoring only 7 goals. While his talent was undeniable, he never quite found his place in the team, and his partnership with Scholes was clearly not a recipe for success.

A Final Thought

While Verón's time at Manchester United may be viewed as a disappointment, it's important to remember that he was a highly talented player who enjoyed success at other clubs. His partnership with Scholes simply didn't work out, but that doesn't diminish his overall quality. And as Scholes himself admitted, he was partly to blame for the "disastrous" partnership, due to his own lack of defensive awareness.