Manchester United have a “softness” to their game which will prevent them from challenging for the Premier League or Champions League this season, according to Paul Scholes.
United suffered their third straight defeat on Wednesday night, going down 4-3 against Bayern Munich in their first Champions League game of the campaign. Andre Onana made a terrible error to allow Leroy Sane’s shot under his body before Serge Gnabry fired into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 before half-time.
Rasmus Hojlund’s first goal for United offered some hope but Christian Eriksen’s handball allowed Harry Kane to score from the penalty spot. Casemiro scored twice late on, but Mathys Tel’s powerful strike ensured they were only consolation goals.
United have now conceded 10 goals in their past three games, losing to Arsenal and Brighton in the Premier League and Bayern in the Champions League. Scholes was hugely critical of Erik ten Hag’s side following another disappointing result.
“They have had spells in every game they have lost this season where they have done okay, but that is not good enough,” he said on TNT Sports. “There is a softness and weakness there and once they concede one, you need to say come on, the next five minutes let’s stay in the game and before you know it, they score another goal.
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“I think this is almost going to be an identical season to last year. They are a cup team. They could possibly win the FA Cup or the Carabao Cup, they are just not at this level yet. I think the summer has hindered them from getting where that next level is and we saw tonight that they are below this level.”
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The scoreline flattered United, with Bayern striking the woodwork twice through Sane and Thomas Muller. Onana was also forced into making some strong saves, while United’s two late goals from Casemiro came against the run of play.
“When you look at the game as a whole, I thought Manchester United did well but still conceded two goals early on and lacked that concentration,” Scholes added. “Those three goals flattered Manchester United, I thought they were outclassed in the second half really. There is experience in this team, but it’s not being used.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand was similarly disappointed by the result, which comes ahead of a Premier League game against Burnley on Saturday night. “They showed a bit of spirit at the end, but up until that point they are not making it hard enough for teams to score goals – goals and chances are being given up too easily,” he said.
“They are making it hard for themselves. When you come to places like this, you have got to be hard to play against, concentrate and be hard to get through and they are not being that at the moment. And, when they get their moments in these games they are not being clinical enough – to score three goals at the Allianz Arena, you have to get away with something.”
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