Exclusive: ‘They’re in big trouble’ - Paul Scholes on Manchester United’s Champions League hopes

Paul Scholes believes Manchester United are in “big trouble” in their Champions League group, ahead of what he thinks is a must-win game at FC Copenhagen on Wednesday.

Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten and in their opening matches, but recovered to earn a at Old Trafford a fortnight ago, relying on a Harry Maguire goal and a late penalty save from Andre Onana to get up and running.

United are third in Group A, one point behind Galatasaray and six back from Bayern. There is still a trip to Turkey coming up, before they close their group campaign at home to the German title holders.

“They’re in big trouble,” Scholes told TNT Sports.

“I always say in the Champions League, win your home games and try and get a draw or a win in an away game and you usually qualify.

“The Galatasaray game is a big regret. You should never lose to a team like that at home. The way United were playing, confidence was low - it wasn’t a big surprise.

“They were very lucky at home against Copenhagen, they didn’t play very well at all. They have half a chance of qualifying.

"It’s so hard going to Copenhagen, these European away games are tough. If they make it a hostile atmosphere, you have to worry about the frailty of Manchester United - they could really crumble under that pressure.”

Asked if he backs United to qualify, Scholes replied: “If I was a betting man, I’d say no.

“They showed last year they’re frail in away games - you think of Sevilla away. It was a brilliant atmosphere, it was hostile - they crumbled, they couldn’t handle it.

“It makes me worry about going to Copenhagen, who aren’t a brilliant team but they’re organised.

“I don’t know if there’s the character and fighters in that team to be able to cope with a big atmosphere. But if they do win in Copenhagen, it gives them a real chance.”

Pressure was building on ten Hag after a 3-0 Premier League defeat to arch-rivals Manchester City and a loss by the same score against Newcastle in the EFL Cup, but his side got back on track with a late 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday.

Scholes believes the former Ajax boss is the right man for the job, following an impressive debut season in charge, but he says it is clear there has to be an improvement in performances soon.

“He’s got to win games, that’s all he can do. I don’t think it matters how we do it,” he said.

“I’m sure when he first came to the club his intention was to play that possession type of football, but that went away and he had a lot of success from not being like that.

“Man United fans - possession doesn't really bother them. It bores them. They want to see substance over style, they want to see chances, they want excitement. Keeping the ball doesn’t excite them.

“Ten Hag realised that and felt he didn’t have the best of teams to do it. He went the Man United way really, which is trying to be a little more exciting - and now he’s getting a bit of stick for it.

“We’ve gone through a lot of managers these last few years. For some reason, the problem seems to be that second season for a lot of them.

“He’s spent a lot of money and results and performances have been way below par, but he’s the right man to stick with at this point.”

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.