Paul Scholes was very upset after Manchester United exited the Europa league last night at the hands of their bitter rivals, Liverpool. United lost their first leg at Anfield 2-0 and already faced an uphill battle in the second leg but they could only manage a 1-1 draw, losing the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
The former player turned analyst has been a harsh critic of Louis Van Gaal throughout the season after United’s performances have been less than satisfactory. Winning the competition was probably a good way for them to qualify for the UEFA Champions league next season after the team’s league form had been troubling of late.
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Scholes was very critical of Van Gaal’s transfer policy and mentioned one name in particular. Speaking to BT Sport he said, “You are scratching you head thinking about the players that have been allowed leave, Welbeck’s the biggest example of that, he should never have been allowed leave the club.”
Danny Welbeck was allowed to leave last season and was bought by rivals Arsenal on deadline day after Louis Van Gaal found him surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. But Scholes feels the club miss him now more than ever after the current crop of players haven’t delivered.
“He was a big example of what Manchester United were. He was here from nine years of age and came right through to the first team. He’s quick, he’s strong, can score a goal, can make a goal, can play left wing, can play right wing and he can play centre-forward.”
“He’d walk into this team now without a shadow of a doubt and he has just been allowed to go.Whether that’s come from the manager or it was out of his hands I don’t know, but I think it did come from the manager.”
Martial goal a mere consolation
United were given hope of a comeback in the tie after Nathaniel Clyne tripped Anthony Martial in the box giving the hosts a penalty in the 32nd minute. Martial stepped up and converted to put United ahead on the night.
But it all went wrong just as half time was approaching. Phillipe Coutinho picked the ball up on the left-hand side and waltzed past Varela like he wasn’t there and chipped the ball wonderfully over David De Gea to put the tie firmly in Liverpool’s favour.
United had a mountain to climb after that goal in the second half and they never looked like scoring three goals eventually exiting the competition.
