Paul Scholes slammed Jadon Sancho for ‘not being ready’ for ’s clash against Sevilla and criticised David de Gea for his role in the shock defeat.
United’s hopes of winning the Europa League were ended by six-time winners Sevilla, who booked their place in the semi-finals courtesy of a 3-0 win on Thursday night.
’s side before being pegged back by two own goals.
Sevilla’s momentum continued in the early stages of the second leg, with Youssef En-Nesyri taking advantage of a Harry Maguire mistake to fire the hosts in front.
Manchester United got to half-time without further damage but Sevilla extended their lead in the tie immediately after the break through a Loic Bade header which David de Gea failed to keep out.
De Gea, who also played a role in Sevilla’s opener, then gifted the home side a third when he made a mess of a through ball, allowing En-Nesyri to slot into an empty net.
Speaking at half-time, Manchester United legend Scholes bemoaned the team’s slow start in Seville and said several players – including Sancho – did not look ‘ready’ for the game.
‘We saw how hostile the crowd were before the game,’ Scholes told BT Sport. ‘Sevilla were so aggressive and you’ve got to give them credit.
‘During the warm-ups we were eulogising about the crowd and saying how aggressive and hostile it was.
‘When the United players see and hear that they need to go into the dressing room and think, “I need to be ready for this and my first touch has got to be ready”.
‘You see Jadon Sancho in the first five minutes tonight, the ball bounced off him three times, terrible weight of pass too. I’m a big fan of the lad but you’ve got to liven up and be ready.’
Maguire has received criticism for his part in Sevilla’s opener but Scholes pointed the blame at De Gea, adding: ‘The pass from David de Gea just isn’t on. He needs to get rid of it, clear your lines.
‘I can only think of one centre-half in world football who would want the ball in that position and be able to handle it. Harry Maguire is not one of them.
‘David can see that, he can see that 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 as they face in-form Brighton in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Sunday.
, .
, and .
