Paul Scholes branded a Manchester United star ‘criminal’ following his failure to play through Rasmus Hojlund in the Red Devils’ clash with Real Sociedad.
United were looking to push their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League as the Europa League knockout stages started on Thursday as they took on the LaLiga side in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
Ruben Amorim’s side are among the favourites to win the competition, but must turn their season around somewhat if they are to life the trophy towards the end of the campaign.
Struggling for goals, the first half against Sociedad was tough for the away side, though they did have chances to open the scoring, perhaps none more so than when Diogo Dalot found himself in space on the right.
With the chance to cross, forward Hojlund was approaching the penalty area with speed and had lost his marker. He called for a cross, but Dalot instead decided to cut inside when a simple ball across goal would likely have resulted in a tap in.
The chance went begging, and Hojlund ended up showing his frustrations with Dalot as the two endured a brief look of annoyance, and Scholes, speaking at as a pundit on TNT Sports, didn’t mince his words.
‘It has been comfortable for united, an easy half of football,’ Scholes said at the interval. ‘They should be ahead, Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund. They have dangerous players but haven’t been a threat.
‘The frustrating thing is we watched them practice that. For Dalot not to see it is criminal. He has made a good run, you are a right back, for any right back in world football to not see that is criminal.
Karen Carney, meanwhile, added: ‘He has right to be frustrated. When wing backs get in positions like Dalot did he has to pass it, it is a tap in. He doesn’t and it is a missed opportunity and he has every right to dig Dalot out, he has had a lot of criticism.
Robbie Savage, meanwhile, called it ‘unacceptable’ on commentary.
More to follow.
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