Exclusive: Paul Scholes backs Erik ten Hag but says Manchester United culture ‘doesn’t look right’

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes worries about Erik ten Hag’s future if and when the ownership structure changes, but insists the Dutchman is the right manager for the club.

United were humbled 3-0 at home by Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, which followed a 2-1 win over Chelsea just three days before. They sit sixth in the table, but their UEFA Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread.

Ten Hag’s side need to beat Bayern Munich on Tuesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, and hope Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw to make it through from their group. A third-place finish would see United drop into the UEFA Europa League play-off round.

The former Ajax boss has faced scrutiny over his position at Old Trafford, but Scholes says a change at the top is the last thing they need.

“The manager is trying to do the right thing but he’s struggling to do it with the evidence we’re seeing on the football pitch,” said the TNT Sports pundit.

“I don’t see anybody else out there who could do any better. I like him, he needs time to do what he has planned, but he’s got to get a move on with it.

“I wouldn’t have questioned him until possibly the Newcastle game [] where the attitude and application just wasn’t right, it felt wrong. That’s when you start questioning the manager.

“He has to take some kind of responsibility - the reflection of the team comes from the manager.

“The culture of the club comes from the training ground and the manager needs to get that right. It just seems all over the place.

“I don’t think the manager should be changed, he should be given time, we’ve seen some top-class managers come and go at this club and nothing has changed. It’s right to stick with him.”

Scholes believes United got their recruitment wrong in the summer, saying they should not have had to go into the loan market to bring in Sergio Reguilon from Tottenham or Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, but described it as a “failing” by the club that there were no young players to fill in at left-back or midfield.

Although the United great thinks Ten Hag is the right manager, he is concerned that patience might be thin if and when Ineos founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes a 25-percent purchase - which would see his company take control of day-to-day sporting operations.

Scholes said: “It’s difficult to see how much more backwards they can go. Do we just have to accept this is where we’re at now?

“We definitely don’t have the players to compete at the top of the table. We’re nowhere near that level. Even if this group of players perform to their very best, they’re just not good enough.

“I think for the manager, unless he gets something sorted pretty quickly, he’s going to come under huge pressure.

“I just don’t think changing is the answer, but you have to worry about it - especially when new owners come in. New owners like to bring new people in. He’ll be under big pressure if things don’t improve.”

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