Ferdinand, Scholes & Owen react to Man Utd exit

Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes and Michael Owen had some strong words about Manchester United after their former club crashed out of the Champions League.

United lost 3-2 at Wolfsburg on Tuesday as they failed to advance from the group stages.

Rather than taking on the elite clubs in the new year it will be the Europa League where United play for silverware.

Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “It’s embarrassing. I was in a squad that went into the Europa League and it’s an embarrassment.

“You don’t want to come out of your house, you don’t want to walk around Manchester, you’re looking at people looking at you and thinking, ‘Ah, you’re not good enough’, questioning you as an individual and as part of a team that didn’t get through the group stages that you should have, on paper.”

Ferdinand added: “Manchester United should be mentioned in the same breath as PSG, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid. You’re used to seeing that but at the moment they’re a long way short.”

Scholes: Man Utd an average team

Scholes, meanwhile, said United’s failure was “no surprise”, adding: “The home game against PSV (a 0-0 draw) was the killer really.

“United just look like an average team really and with an average team you get average performances.”

Asked if United were at a crisis point, he said: “Yeah probably.”

Scholes stressed United could still win the Premier League, while they have Europa League and FA Cup trophies to target.

And with manager Louis van Gaal sure to come in for heavy criticism, Scholes said: “It’s vital he gets close to winning one of them.”

Owen questions Van Gaal spending

Owen said questions had to be asked about whether Van Gaal should be allowed to spend heavily again.

“Whether they can rely on Louis van Gaal to spend those millions is the big question,” Owen said.

“I don’t look at it and just think of tonight and this season, I look at the 18 months or so that Louis van Gaal has been in charge and £250million-plus he’s spent.

“They’re playing poorly week in and week out. It’s 18 months of below par with all that money.

“I think he’s under severe pressure now.

“They’ve got the FA Cup and they’re into the Europa League now so he’s got two lifelines there.

“The position in the league is keeping him afloat but there’s huge questions now.”

Owen said even winning the Premier League would be “just papering over the cracks”.