Even Paul Scholes was disappointed with United’s performance.
“Paul Scholes has strongly criticized United’s performance against Newcastle, describing the team as ‘rubbish,'” the Daily Mail reported on Thursday (KST).
United lost 0-1 to Newcastle in the 14th round of the 2023/24 English Premier League (EPL) on March 3 at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, England. In the match, United were outplayed and outclassed throughout,
United conceded the opening goal in the 10th minute of the second half from a cross from the Trippier-Gordon combination, and were then out-shot 22 to 8, out-passed by 150, and more, to suffer their sixth defeat of the season.
The highlight of the match was the fight between Marshall and Ten Haag. Ten Haag was visibly irritated as he flailed his arms at Marshall on the touchline. Ten Haag, who was trying to get Marshall’s fighting spirit up, became frustrated when Marshall didn’t give it his all. He was eventually replaced by Hui Lun.
In his post-match interview, Ten Haag said, “We always have problems. I know it’s your job to see that. We have it in away games, we have it in home games. We have this problem and we have to overcome this problem. That’s the truth.”
He added: “You have to recognize Newcastle. They were more active and proactive than us in the first half when we could have scored with the chances we had with Alejandro Garnacho.”
Man United legend Scholes also had something to say about the poor performance. “The performance? It was rubbish. United are a bad team at the moment. There are too many lazy players in the team. When you go to an away game, the first thing you have to do is work hard. I watched Newcastle happily break down both flanks and felt sorry for the United full-backs.”
Scholes questioned Rashford and Bruno Fernandes in particular. Rashford was substituted in the 61st minute after a poor performance in the last game, and Scholes insisted he shouldn’t be surprised by his early exit.
“Rashford last season was great and he has the ability. But I don’t think it’s good for the team to go out and behave like that. It’s the same with Bruno. He has fantastic ability. He can score goals, he can create chances. But I want to see what the manager is asking of him in the locker room before the game.”
According to statistics outlet Opta, United have conceded 34 goals in all competitions this season, their worst start in 20 games since conceding 43 in the 1962/63 season.
Moreover, December is hell for United, as they face Chelsea-Bournemouth-Manchester-Liverpool-West Ham-Aston Villa-Nottingham, starting with a hellish trip to Newcastle, and if they don’t pick up points on Boxing Day, it could cost them a Champions League spot and possibly Van Gaal his job.