Ex-players Paul Scholes, Gary Neville slam ‘embarrassing’ Manchester United
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West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen scoring their first goal in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United at the London Stadium on Dec 23.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – With Manchester United again failing to find the net or even score a point and with high-flying Aston Villa up next on Dec 26, club legend Paul Scholes warned that “every single player is struggling with confidence” and he does not see that changing any time soon.
West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus scored second-half goals at the London Stadium on Dec 23
United, eighth in the standings and eight points off the top four, have struggled in front of goal, failing to score in four straight games in all competitions for the first time since November 1992.
They have just 18 league goals in as many matches, with only bottom club Sheffield United having scored fewer. In their 18 league games, United have failed to score in seven.
Former Manchester United midfielder Scholes said on TNT Sports: “United have problems, goalscoring is a big issue. They aren’t creating at all.
“Every single player is struggling with confidence going forward... There is no threat to the team. This is a very patched-up team.
“You spend a lot of money on players, expecting a lot more from them. Not happening for (Marcus) Rashford either. Easiest thing to coach in football is defending, hardest thing is to teach them how to score goals.
“It’s getting embarrassing, creativity is the big problem. I don’t think you will see the best of this Man United team before the end of January – it is going to be a very tough few weeks.”
United boss Erik ten Hag, however, insisted he has a squad who can compete with the Premier League’s top teams, when everyone is fit.
United have had to contend with a string of injuries and the manager is without Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Tyrell Malacia, Victor Lindelof and Amad Diallo, while Harry Maguire is unlikely to be available.
Ten Hag said: “Everyone understands when you have such key players who are not available, it will have a negative effect on results. Still, we are in a place where we can change this story, change this season.
“I am confident, when the players are back, we will have a good and strong squad... This squad is strong, when everyone is on board and we can beat anyone.”
Former United captain Gary Neville is less confident.
He told Sky Sports: “What we're seeing from this team, under any manager in the last seven or eight years, is pretty much the same.
“You can’t trust them, they will let you down. They give you a glimmer of hope and then they go and lose a game they shouldn’t lose. We’re watching an inconsistent bunch.”
United have already been knocked out of Europe
Villa, meanwhile, are flying in third, one point behind leaders Arsenal (40).
They have lost just one of their last 14 league matches, winning 10.
They will, however, be missing the suspended Boubacar Kamara and Matty Cash.
Youri Tielemans, Tyrone Mings and Emiliano Buendia are also out due to injury, but Pau Torres could return to face United at Old Trafford. REUTERS, AFP
