03 October 2023 , 23:00
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Paul Scholes slammed Raphael Varane and centre-back partner Victor Lindelof for being "lazy and weak" as Manchester United suffered a calamitous 3-2 loss at home to Galatasaray.
United continued their losing start to the Champions League group stage at Old Trafford on Tuesday, despite taking the lead twice through new striker Rasmus Hojlund. While Varane and Lindelof weren't the only players who Scholes berated, the defensive duo did feel the brunt of his anger post-match.
The Red Devils legend told TNT Sports: "[Sofyan] Amrabat isn't a left-back obviously but he leaves things so wide open. Lindelof and Varane were so lazy, so weak and we all know what the goalkeeper [Andre Onana] did as well."
Scholes even says that he's "worried" about Varane, whose injury record is only worsening after turning 30 in April. "I worry about Varane a bit," the former United midfielder admitted.
"I do thinks he's been one of the very best defenders around, just like Rio [Ferdinand] was, in that same ilk at Real Madrid, but I just feel like his legs are looking a little bit sluggish. He's a can't keep fit, I'd be worried about him."
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Raphael Varane struggled against Galatasaray's attack (Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Victor Lindelof also had a night to forget (Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)Scholes was also asked whether he felt that United's defeat was more to do with their own failings rather than Galatasaray's quality. "It's probably a little bit of both to be honest," he replied.
"When United lose a big game like this, a game they really had to win because it's a massive Champions League game, you're normally very disappointed but I think I saw enough tonight in the team that excited me. Hojlund, I thought he was amazing, especially with his second goal, he gave the defender no chance, clean pair of heels and the composure for the finish.
"And he even scored a goal that was disallowed, the one that was ruled out for offside, and I thought 'Oo, there's a bit of Van Nistelrooy in there'. Mason Mount, I thought he played well but he’s desperate for a goal, absolutely desperate for one."
United's players will be desperate to bounce back when they welcome Brentford for a Premier League clash on Saturday. Next in Europe for them is a must-win game at home to Copenhagen.