17 February 2023 , 09:42
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Paul Scholes has pinned the blame for Barcelona's opening goal at the Camp Nou on Thursday night on Fred, Tyrell Malacia and David de Gea.
Manchester United were held to a 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie. It was a pulsating affair, with United establishing a 2-1 lead thanks to Marcus Rashford's strike and own goal from Jules Kounde. Raphinha's late goal secured a draw.
Barcelona took the lead when Marcos Alonso scored from a corner. It was a sloppy goal to concede, as Malacia and Fred failed to track former Chelsea man Alonso's run to the far post. De Gea also failed to cover himself in glory after being beaten at his near post.
Analysing the goal, Scholes highlighted the trio's poor play in the build-up. "When you look at the first goal it is Malacia who doesn’t pick up Alonso, he lets him free, really," Scholes told BT Sport after Thursday's game. "It is only a basic bit of movement from Alonso that loses him too. Fred as well probably didn't challenge as well as he could.
"It is a basic bit of movement from Alonso and Malacia doesn't stay with him. I also think the goalkeeper should do better, it goes in quite easily at that near post. David looks a little bit worried about colliding with the post.
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"But Malacia there, he has to stay with him and when he doesn't, Fred has to cover [and say], 'My mate has made a mistake, I've got to cover for him'. But he doesn't do that."
Marcos Alonso was left unmarked for Barcelona's opening goal on Thursday night (Getty Images)What did you make of Manchester United's performance against Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below!
Scholes' verdict will worry United fans, as De Gea and Fred have both faced criticism in recent seasons. The two players have improved since Erik ten Hag's appointment last summer and supporters will be hoping old habits don't creep back in.
Goalkeeper De Gea, who is out of contract in June, was slammed by Roy Keane after conceding a howler against Everton last month "It’s like he’s had a few drinks," Keane told ITV Sport. "It's as if the keeper has been sent off and an outfield player has gone in goal."
Fred has also been criticised since his move from Shakhtar Donetsk in June 2018. Ex-United striker Louis Saha told Boyle Sports last October: "There are times when Fred has the opportunity to pass the ball forwards but he takes one or two touches too many.
"Those things can be noticed and that's a problem. Fred is playing for Manchester United, he's not in League Two, and everyone will have an opinion on his performances."
Ten Hag's frustration was obvious during his post-match interview. He told reporters: "We should have won this game so there are a number of steps to go. The criticism is that we need to be more clinical and to finish our chances. That is what we did not do."
Scholes' BT Sport colleague Owen Hargreaves added: "Whether it is the Champions League or Europa League, the margins are so fine. If you are given a job you have to do it. I think Erik ten Hag will be disappointed."