Paul Scholes branded a Manchester United star 'criminal' following his failure to play through Rasmus Hojlund in the Red Devils' clash with Real Sociedad.
United were looking to push their bid to qualify for next season's Champions League as the Europa League knockout stages started on Thursday as they took on the LaLiga side in the first leg of their last-16 clash.
Ruben Amorim's side are among the favourites to win the competition, but must turn their season around somewhat if they are to life the trophy towards the end of the campaign.
Struggling for goals, the first half against Sociedad was tough for the away side, though they did have chances to open the scoring, perhaps none more so than when Diogo Dalot found himself in space on the right.
With the chance to cross, forward Hojlund was approaching the penalty area with speed and had lost his marker. He called for a cross, but Dalot instead decided to cut inside when a simple ball across goal would likely have resulted in a tap in.
The chance went begging, and Hojlund ended up showing his frustrations with Dalot as the two endured a brief look of annoyance, and Scholes, speaking at as a pundit on TNT Sports, didn't mince his words.
'It has been comfortable for united, an easy half of football,' Scholes said at the interval. 'They should be ahead, Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund. They have dangerous players but haven't been a threat.
'The frustrating thing is we watched them practice that. For Dalot not to see it is criminal. He has made a good run, you are a right back, for any right back in world football to not see that is criminal.
Karen Carney, meanwhile, added: 'He has right to be frustrated. When wing backs get in positions like Dalot did he has to pass it, it is a tap in. He doesn't and it is a missed opportunity and he has every right to dig Dalot out, he has had a lot of criticism.
Robbie Savage, meanwhile, called it 'unacceptable' on commentary.
Hojlund had not scored a goal in 18 matches going into the game, representing a goal drought that had mirrored his team's poor form.
The Danish forward joined United for £72million in the summer of 2023, but it was Joshua Zirkzee who scored United's goal to open the scoring against Sociedad.
Still, with limited numbers, Hojlund is persisted with, though Scholes suggested 17-year-old Chido Obi, who was not included in the Europa League squad but has enjoyed recent minutes, should have been playing in the first-teamer's place.
'It is not just scoring goals, he has not been getting chances either,' Scholes said. 'Obi has got chances, is it the service? I am starting to think it is his movement as he is not getting the chances.
'He is not scoring goals but he needs help. I think he runs too much. Sometimes you have to do that but, with time on the ball (in midfield), I am saying stay up front and in the middle. I don't think he is great at linking play, use what you have got.
'Play him (Obi). I think he would have played tonight if he was in the squad. He has impressed and Hojlund has been struggling but he is ready and if I am scoring every week for reserves and the first teamer is ready, I expect a chance and he will be a bit disappointed.'
Carney added: 'It is tough - his confidence has been shattered. He looks and feels like it, but in this competition he has come alive.
'It may be opposition of him feeling comfortable but you are hoping he kicks off his campaign in this competition again with goals. It is not like he hasn't tried, but it is sometimes overtrying.'
OliverKambwali
1
dalot is the new Rashford's new sense, very frustrating 😡😡he doesn't like to be corrected.
famouskesh
4
Man Utd players can Never play together as a team...rather they play on individual brilliance that’s what is holding us back Dalot and order culprits really messed up big time I don’t blame hojlund for not scoring
cutelnopr
1
Dalot is useless....
Archway68
2
Dalot also should go from the team 😩
Archway68
1
Hojlund is a big (0) he is useless, loser , he should go and leave us alone , stupid player
Laacenuy
0
Dalot and Bruno are the foundation of Manchester United problem without changing this 2 player United will never have peace, Dalot is useless while Bruno dictate how the remaining player plays and sees himself as the best ever in the pitch. corner, penalty, free kicks, scoring and with his Zero passes in all this aspect he believes he's the perfect and makes the remaining player stupid on the pitch.
no no don't misunderstood me in Bruno plays, he's good but the team is lacking confidence in the way they manage the team bcuz Bruno decide all the remaining player plays. they can't improve if one player see himself superior while other is inferior they looses confident. if Bruno is not in form all the team dies. all United players sees him as the best bcuz all the set of players Manchester United have now are averaged
Davichi
4
When you have players like Dalot taking horrible decisions, how can you justify the criticism of Højlund for not scoring goals? First he's got to be given the chances to score then we'd see if he uses it well or not.
Davichi
0
Dalot and Bruno are the foundation of Manchester United problem without changing this 2 player United will never have peace, Dalot is useless while Bruno dictate how the remaining player plays and sees himself as the best ever in the pitch. corner, penalty, free kicks, scoring and with his Zero passes in all this aspect he believes he's the perfect and makes the remaining player stupid on the pitch.
Don't talk about Bruno if you don't know what to say. He's the best player United has got and it's disappointing that some of you so called United fans can't see this because you let the arrogant old boys get in your head with their underserved criticism of him, yet you watch him every week. If Bruno played in their era, he'd easily bench many of them in midfield.
Zewadeklpz
2
Dalot must be sold in summer; he's not a Utd material.
Reubdkprt
1
man. united is in complete mess & conumdrum
zutbklnsuy
1
Tike for Dalot to sit out. He has been poor all season in terms of assist. Play Amass instead,as Dorgu will not play next encounter against Arsenal.
Laacenuy
0
Dalot and Bruno are the foundation of Manchester United problem without changing this 2 player United will never have peace, Dalot is useless while Bruno dictate how the remaining player plays and sees himself as the best ever in the pitch. corner, penalty, free kicks, scoring and with his Zero passes in all this aspect he believes he's the perfect and makes the remaining player stupid on the pitch.
Fanbikoru
0
I keep on saying this dalot is useless with quality at all
jhkr
0
its better am at Dalots bk he can't score
tiddikoptz
0
Shut up
tell your mom to shut up.
Fawbdemn
2
No worst player like DIAGO DALOT in man unt players and coach dont want drop him whyyyy???
junaeilpsu
0
then play who, you people are stup*d. you're always blaming dalot, bruno and garnacho that are selfish. It's not a guarantee that if they pass is a goal. There are times they pass
Shut up
tiddikoptz
0
How would Dalot been a criminal if you know you are been favorite by the manager. he's very poor in defending but the manager keep fielding him in every match but resting the other players.
Dalot is far better than all your wingbacks you fool.
tiddikoptz
0
Dalot is not a man utd type player lack qualities to b wing back he should have gone 4 very long time please put him for sale we don’t need him
who's the type now. Mazroui that runs like his legs are tied
tiddikoptz
0
Dalot need to be benched mah, he is so selfish.
then play who, you people are stup*d. you're always blaming dalot, bruno and garnacho that are selfish. It's not a guarantee that if they pass is a goal. There are times they pass
tiddikoptz
1
useless man utd players I wonder if the coach is blind to see the selfishness in Ganacho, Dalot, Bruno a times. all the coach knows how to do is visit the barber shop every week to reshape his hair and look good coach Ageygey
all the players you listed are the ones trying to create chances you clown. you just hate them
wuyaekorst
0
It's not the first time dalot has refused to cross it early for hojlund. Dalot is a liability to the squad
matric29
0
How would Dalot been a criminal if you know you are been favorite by the manager. he's very poor in defending but the manager keep fielding him in every match but resting the other players.
wish other players left?
BraniTown
0
True
Zaabilpuz
0
useless man utd players I wonder if the coach is blind to see the selfishness in Ganacho, Dalot, Bruno a times. all the coach knows how to do is visit the barber shop every week to reshape his hair and look good coach Ageygey
lazychild226
1
yes...at last got pundit saw n notice that play...i thought the same when watching live why dalot cut back n pass back to others instead of directly cross to hojlund... pass..bad bad bad decision
Foaabiklrz
2
Dalot need to be benched mah, he is so selfish.
Socblnotuy
0
Dalot is not a man utd type player lack qualities to b wing back he should have gone 4 very long time please put him for sale we don’t need him
who do you finally need when you guys want everyone sacked?
oladipooluwasayo
1
How would Dalot been a criminal if you know you are been favorite by the manager. he's very poor in defending but the manager keep fielding him in every match but resting the other players.
Is there any player to replace him at wing back let be sincere. This is not about nationality
GaGa2022
0
these pandits are criminals
Maubcptuyz
0
Dalot is not a man utd type player lack qualities to b wing back he should have gone 4 very long time please put him for sale we don’t need him
They selfish with passing to forwards,Garnacho surprised me by passing to zirkzee,we need them to play crosses to forwards
kembikopy
2
Dalot is not a man utd type player lack qualities to b wing back he should have gone 4 very long time please put him for sale we don’t need him
wimlmpru
1
players ard him is not helping
JijangaUtdfan
0
How would Dalot been a criminal if you know you are been favorite by the manager. he's very poor in defending but the manager keep fielding him in every match but resting the other players.
Don’t you see they’re same nationality 😢😢🥺🥺🥺
JijangaUtdfan
6
When Alex Signed Van Persie in 2012, he told Man Utd players, pass to Van Persie and if you don’t do that, find other clubs because I don’t need you in my team
Yamadoprt
2
Dalot n Ganarcho most selfish players in MU!!!
Poakmnpsuy
1
How would Dalot been a criminal if you know you are been favorite by the manager. he's very poor in defending but the manager keep fielding him in every match but resting the other players.
iceyez
6
Just the reason Hojlund not scoring any goals. His team mates don't allow him to. Definitely criminal