Man Utd icons Scholes and Schmeichel blast ’embarrassing, smug’ team for going 2-0 ahead against Sevilla
PAUL SCHOLES met Manchester United after they threw away a 2-0 lead to a draw with Sevilla.
Thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s brace in the first half, the Red Devils ran idle before the Spanish visitors turned the game upside down.
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But Scholes lamented United’s complacency, claiming Erik ten Hag put Sevilla back in the game by weakening the team with his substitutes.
Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire resulted in an unlikely result, leveling the tie ahead of next week’s second leg in Seville.
Scholes was furious at BT Sport after the game, saying: “Great result for Sevilla. Man Utd were very quiet in the second half, they didn’t create any chances.
“Those subs have weakened the team… You sort of understand Anthony Martial, he’s fragile.
“But in the second half United were really sloppy. If there were still away goals United would be in for an uphill battle.
“You’ve seen enough to see that Sevilla aren’t great, but it’s going to be difficult.
Scholes continued: “United were too smug, too confident that Sevilla weren’t great in that first half.
“United played so well and so confidently – you think this will be 3, 4, 5-0 and there will be a draw tonight.
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“The second half was a complete disaster.
“Sir Alex Ferguson would not have allowed us to be complacent in the second half of a quarter-final.
“This is the time to win this game. You win it here tonight. That should be 3, 4, 5-0.”
“Malacia really should have grappled with that first goal – he’s unaware of the danger – and it’s been a really difficult night from there.
“It just gets worse from there… injuries, suspensions, then they get the second goal.
“We just did [they took their foot off the gas].
“The coach shouldn’t let them take their foot off the gas in a big European quarter-final.”
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To make matters worse for United, Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane had to be replaced injured in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes has also been booked, meaning he is suspended for the second leg.
Another club icon, Peter Schmeichel, also mingled with the players while appearing on BBC Radio 5 Live.
He said: “It’s a fair result the way it developed in the second half.
“The Manchester United players missed a very good opportunity here.
“Some players today have to look at themselves and consider whether they are contributing enough to the team.
“There are a few players who should be embarrassed by their performances.
“De Gea played well, he made two fantastic saves, couldn’t do anything against the goals. He kept Man Utd at the top to no avail.
“Casemiro came back and played very well too.
“The best player is the one who scored two goals, Marcel Sabitzer was really good.
“His teammates let him down… he showed the way and they didn’t understand him.
“It’s 2-2 and as a Man Utd fan I’m really disappointed. That could and should have been a 5-0 win.”