Scholes in no doubt over who's to blame for Man Utd crisis - 'Not good enough'

12 December 2023 , 21:56

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Scholes in no doubt over who's to blame for Man Utd crisis - 'Not good enough'

Paul Scholes believes it's Erik ten Hag's responsibility to ensure his Manchester United players are working hard for the cause.

United crashed out of Europe on Tuesday after losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich at Old Trafford. They have finished bottom of their Champions League group behind Bayern, Copenhagen and Galatasaray, meaning they won't even drop into the Europa League.

United were knocked out of the Carabao Cup earlier in the term and are 10 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after being humiliated 3-0 at home by Bournemouth. Scholes described the team's lack of effort as "scary" before Tuesday's game.

Scholes was asked who is to blame for United's difficult campaign. Speaking before the game, the TNT Sports pundit replied: "I think it’s very difficult to decide who is letting who down to be honest. These players have let two or three managers down now, a lot of these players have.

"Yes, they have a few new faces in there now but the Newcastle performance was worrying for me - I don’t think Ten Hag’s position was being questioned before that but not being able to get his players to work hard enough to face Newcastle was scary. It’s not enough at a club like this, you need to be working week in, week out, it’s not been good enough."

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Newcastle defeated the Red Devils 1-0 at St James' Park earlier this month, a game which saw Ten Hag have a public row with Anthony Martial. Star forward Marcus Rashford was also hooked during that match and hasn't started in the Premier League since.

Erik ten Hag is feeling the pressure at Manchester United (OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)

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Rashford, who has scored just two goals this season after finding the net 30 times last term, was ill for Tuesday's match. United lost two players to injury before the second half started, with Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw both coming off.

Maguire, who was named as the Premier League's Player of the Month for November, limped out of the game with a groin injury in the 40th minute, while Shaw was taken off at half-time. It's believed Shaw was struggling with a hamstring complaint.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Chris Sutton said as Maguire went off: "The look on Maguire's face suggests he's not happy... That's a massive blow for Manchester United. There's a lot to be admired about Harry Maguire after his days looked to be numbered."

Maguire and Shaw are now both doubts for United's next game against Liverpool. Ten Hag's side will find it difficult winning at the home of the Premier League leaders after they lost 7-0 their last season - one of the most embarrassing defeats in the club's history.

Tom Blow