Paul Scholes has criticized Jadon Sancho for “not being ready” for Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Sevilla and criticized David de Gea for his role in the shock defeat.
United’s hopes of winning the Europa League were aborted by six-time winners Sevilla, who secured a place in the semi-finals thanks to a 3-0 win on Thursday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side took a two-goal lead in the first leg at Old Trafford before being held back by two own goals.
Sevilla’s momentum continued in the early stages of the second leg, with Youssef En-Nesyri capitalizing on a mistake by Harry Maguire to keep the home side up front.
Manchester United went into half-time without further damage, but Sevilla extended their lead in the tie just after the break with Loic Bade’s header which David de Gea was unable to clear away.
De Gea, who also played a part in Sevilla’s opening goal, then gifted the hosts a third when he missed a through ball, allowing En-Nesyri to slip through into an empty net.
Manchester United legend Scholes complained about the team’s slow start in Seville at half-time, saying several players, including Sancho, didn’t look ‘ready’ for the match.
“We saw how hostile the crowd was before the match,” Scholes told BT Sport. “Sevilla were so aggressive and you have to give them credit.
“During the warm-up, we praised the crowd and said how aggressive and hostile they were.
“When United players see and feel they have to walk into the dressing room and think ‘I have to be ready for this and my first touch has to be ready’.
“You see Jadon Sancho in the first five minutes tonight, the ball bounced off him three times, the terrible weight of the pass too. I’m a big fan of the guy, but you have to perk up and be ready.
Maguire drew criticism for his part in Sevilla’s opening goal, but Scholes blamed De Gea, adding: “David de Gea’s pass is not good. He has to get rid of it, erase your lines.
“I can only think of a centre-back in world football who would like to have the ball in that position and be able to handle it. Harry Maguire is not one of them.
“David can see it, he can see Maguire has three players around him and he’s not comfortable in that position.”
Manchester United, who won the League Cup earlier in the season, will need to recover quickly when they face Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday.
