Paul Scholes has appeared to pass judgement on Conor Gallagher being tipped to start in England's midfield against Slovenia and urged Gareth Southgate to focus on 'brains' over 'energy'.
England have already qualified for the knockout stages of Euro 2024 thanks to Spain's win over Albania on Monday, but are searching for a much-improved outing against tonight's opponents.
An underwhelming tournament-opening win over Serbia was followed by a draw against Denmark with fans and pundits critical over their performances in Germany so far.
Southgate is searching for answers after struggling to find balance in his midfield with Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold favoured in a midfield trio.
The England boss admitted he is trying different tactics in a bid to get players replicating their club form at international level and is tipped to bring Gallagher into a starting role against Slovenia.
Gallagher's energy and pressing capacity are believed to be amongst the reasons for his expected promotion to a starting position, while Man United's Kobbie Mainoo and Crystal Palace Adam Wharton remain sidelined.
Scholes - like many - has previously expressed a desire to see United's 19-year-old star, Mainoo, given starting minutes at the European Championship and appeared to question Gallagher's role in a social media update.
Posting to his Instagram story on Tuesday, Scholes said: 'Why are we obsessed with energy when we should be obsessed with the brain.'
Scholes is well-versed in the midfield discussion after previously being played out of position with the Three Lions in a bid to accommodate Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central roles.
The Manchester United legend wasn't afforded the frequent luxury of playing in his best position with the national team and later decided to retire early from England duty.
Passing judgement on the current crop of England stars, Scholes insisted Mainoo could be the answer and compared him to Germany's Toni Kroos.
'I think [Phil Foden] can play on the left-hand side, he's done that for Manchester City loads of times.' Scholes told TNT Sports.
'Phil Foden can pop up anywhere he wants to on a football pitch and he'll be a threat. If Kobbie Mainoo came in, all of a sudden you have control. You have a player who makes your team play football.
'Sometimes it takes just one player to be able to do that. You think of Toni Kroos with Germany. He just makes them play football, he makes Real Madrid play football.
dennisachafu
410
This is one problem with England ex-players and pundits. Everybody believes they know the job better than the manager but when you mistakenly appoint them to manage a club or national team that's when they will fail woefully.
Frankaay™
362
No man utd ex player is qualified to be a pundit Bec they're all biased whenever the speak you can perceive it. So i don't take them when the speak. I said it few days ago that the only reason they (man united) pundits were clamoring for Trent to be benched was so as to accommodate Mainoo EVERYOTHER thing they're saying is false.
Dotioboy1
275
When will England and all their fans realize that England is not a football nation. Come to think of it the last time England won a trophy was 1966. Almost 60 years without winning a trophy. I don’t want to think it’s only bad coaching for these 60years. If not of hyping and the love for English league everyone would have seen England as a normal average team.