Paul Scholes digs out Manchester United man ‘left wanting again’

Paul Scholes, BT Sport pundit

Paul Scholes laid into Fred at half-time during Manchester United’s 6-2 win over Roma at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

United put one foot firmly in the Europa League final after recovering from 2-1 down at the break to hammer their Serie A rivals in the second period. Lorenzo Pellegrini cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ early strike before Edin Dzeko scored from close range in the first half.

And former United midfielder Scholes was furious with Fred’s 45 minutes. The Brazilian lined up alongside Scott McTominay in a double pivot with Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba ahead of them.

But he could not prevent Roma’s second goal via former Man City star Dzeko.

“That’s what Fred is in the team for, he’s in the team to stop this type of thing,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“From their best midfield player he gets in behind them [United’s defence]. Fred… please stop that.

“He contributes nothing going forward and his absolute job is to stop that type of thing. And he’s been left wanting again.”

United hit back strongly though after the break, with Fred lasting for 83 minutes before Nemanja Matic replaced him.

Fernandes (2), Edinson Cavani (2), Pogba and Mason Greenwood all ended up on the scoresheet as United cantered home.

Scholes though and Owen Hargreaves had both suggested that United needed to change personnel at half-time.


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Solskjaer hits back at pundits

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took exception to that at full-time and said it was “easy” making hypothetical decisions.

Solskjaer said: “It’s easy up there thinking who should play… but who should not play?

“That’s a very good team, it worked really good against Tottenham. Mason Greenwood should be disappointed not to be playing but it’s about balance. Maybe those two should try to leave players out and pick a team with balance.

“We know we have got creative players who can create big moments. Paul Pogba’s position today was very good in that position, he’s allowed some freedom. He’s got the foundation behind him. The difference today is we took most of our chances.

“The character showed that they came back and didn’t lose their heads. Maybe five or 10 minutes at the end of the first half, we didn’t look great but we got ourselves together. The two goals are junior, schoolboy errors that shouldn’t happen at this level.”

READ MORE: Solskjaer makes promise, as he refuses to give up on Man Utd star