Paul Scholes says Manchester United’s blunt attack a 'big concern' following UEFA Champions League loss to Bayern Munich
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Published 13/12/2023 at 00:22 GMT
TNT Sports expert Paul Scholes said it is a struggle to see where goals are going to come from for Manchester United after they were dumped out of Europe by Bayern Munich. Erik ten Hag's side managed just one shot on target against the German champions in a 1-0 defeat at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League. It was the fourth time in six games United have failed to score at home.
Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United reacts at full time during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester United and FC Bayern Munchen.
Image credit: Getty Images
Paul Scholes admitted Manchester United’s blunt attack is a “big concern” after his former side were dumped out of Europe at the hands of Bayern Munich.
United were beaten 1-0 by the German champions at Old Trafford, a result which left them bottom of their UEFA Champions League group for the first time since the 2005/06 campaign.
It was the latest setback in a season that has been blighted by inconsistency at both ends of the pitch.
Erik ten Hag’s side were beaten 3-0 at home by Bournemouth last time out and only managed one shot on target against Bayern.
Summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has yet to find the net in the Premier League, while Marcus Rashford has failed to reach the heights of last season.
Such have been the struggles in front of goal. Scott McTominay, traditionally a defensive midfielder, tops the scoring charts.
Against Bayern, United drew a blank for the fourth time in six games and Scholes delivered a damning assessment of Ten Hag’s creative players.
“It’s a big concern for where the goals are going to come from,” Scholes said on TNT Sports. “You expect creativity from your wide players, from Antony and [Alejandro] Garnacho, but they’re quite selfish players.
“They’re not looking up, they are thinking about scoring their own goals, and obviously from last year they’ve not got Rashford who was in flying form last year. He’s not been in that type of form this year and obviously he was ill tonight, so they couldn’t come back to him.”
United began the game well and put their opponents under plenty of pressure, but their efforts had far more bark than bite.
Bruno Fernandes had the hosts’ only real chance in the second half but blazed his shot from the edge of the area well over Manuel Neuer’s bar.
He was then made to pay when Harry Kane put Kingsley Coman in for the simplest of finishes past Andre Onana that all but sealed United’s fate.
So often his side’s saviour, Rio Ferdinand said even the Portuguese midfielder has gone off the boil.
“Bruno’s not creating either and he was the chief creator,” Ferdinand added. “I think Harry Kane has got as many assists at Old Trafford as him after one game, it’s crazy.”
One potential plus point of their dismal European campaign is that United can now focus their efforts on the Premier League.
They currently sit sixth but travel to take on league leaders Liverpool, and Ferdinand spoke of what will be required to leave Anfield with a positive result.
“You’ve got to be aggressive,” Ferdinand continued. “You’ve got to be brave, you’ve got to have the courage to take the ball at times there and be willing to fight and roll your sleeves up.
“That’s before any quality, any passing, any shooting, any skills. Go in there and understand the assignment.”
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