Manchester United have been enduring a rough patch lately. From getting knocked out of the League Cup, to facing a defeat against Swedish minnows, Young Boys, Ole and his men have had a rough few outings.
Last night, Manchester United produced a trademark performance of their time under Solskjaer. Cut through easily in the first half, United then produced a vintage comeback to win 3-2. The second-half performance was truly spirited by Ole’s Reds but questions must be raised, sooner or later, about why the team needs those comebacks so frequently in the first place. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes did exactly that.
Paul Scholes concerned by Manchester United’s first-half display against Atalanta BC
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Speaking to BT Sport in his post-match analysis, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes blasted Ole and his team for the first-half performance. He pointed how United should have done much better against Atalanta, who were missing five first-team players. According to him, the Red Devils lacked unity.
“I get the United excitement, but that first half put me off the second half and if United were playing a better team, they’d be out of sight. They played an Atalanta team who had five players missing and a defender who went off at half-time. I get the excitement, but there was something about that first half that was worrying. It lacked unity and that was a worrying sign.“, he said.
?
“Do that against Liverpool and [Manchester] City, they’ll be four down by half-time.”
Emphasizing on the first point of how concerned he was with United’s first-half performance, the former Man Utd midfielder then made a bold claim. Scholes believes that if this were Manchester City or Liverpool, United would have been down to four goals by halftime.
“Can they play against Liverpool like that? Never in a million years. It’s a great night and Cristiano [Ronaldo] is the big hero, but the first half was a real worry for me“, he said.
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“You celebrate every win, but the first half really worried me… That first half United had two midfielders playing on their own and if they do that against Liverpool and [Manchester] City they’ll be four down by half-time”, Paul added.
"Go and do that against Liverpool on Sunday, see what happens."
"Imagine Jurgen Klopp watching that at home, rubbing his hands together."
Paul Scholes won't let a late Ronaldo winner paper over the cracks of that first-half performance from Man Utd.#UCL pic.twitter.com/Dzt9FEC67v
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 20, 2021
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Do you agree with Paul Scholes’ assessment of Manchester United? Or is he overlooking the positive aspects? Let us know!
Also Read: ?A Personal Connection? ? Manchester United Star Reveals His Close Relationship With Jose Mourinho