Former Manchester United midfielder and club legend Paul Scholes has urged his old side’s hierarchy to hire what he has described as a ‘proper’ coach.
Scholes’ comments come off the back of another disappointing evening in Europe after the Red Devils crashed out of the UEFA Champions League following a 1-0 (2-1 agg) defeat against Atletico Madrid.
United hosted Diego Simeone’s resilient Spaniards in what was a second leg Round of 16 knockout tie but after full-back, Renan Lodi opened the game’s scoring in the first half, the Red Devils could do nothing to save their season.
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Frustration reigned supreme among the home fans who were spotted hurling missiles at Simeone at full-time.
Although far from unacceptable behaviour, it is easy to understand why the club’s fans are becoming increasingly more annoyed. Disappointment after disappointment, season after season, is now very much a common theme.
Speaking to BT Sport after the game, Scholes has identified the manager’s position as the club’s weakest area and has criticised the decision to appoint interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
“It comes from leadership, it comes from a coach who demands that,” Scholes said.
“[…] How he was chosen to be manager of this club, or coach at this club, for six weeks, or six months, or six games, I don’t know.
“[…] A coach is a massive part of it – getting a proper coach for this team is a massive part of it.
“This isn’t a terrible group of players. I think if you give them structure and a way of playing there is some real talent in this squad.
“[…] The very first thing this club needs to do to get anywhere near winning the league again is to get a proper coach. Get a coach that suits them and give him a couple of years, two or three years to build a squad of players that will challenge.”
“Atletico had a reliable group of men that understood the job at hand.”
“Man Utd are looking at each other, hoping for a moment of individual brilliance.”@rioferdy5 and Paul Scholes point to a lack of leadership being a big reason behind Man Utd’s lack of direction…#UCL pic.twitter.com/q2PIS7fnzK
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 15, 2022
