Scholes: Bruno Fernandes played poorly and should have stayed quiet

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes criticized Bruno Fernandes's post-match comments following Manchester United's 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the opening round of the Premier League over the weekend.

Manchester United lost 0-2 at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, conceding both goals from first-half set pieces. Newly promoted Hull City had been widely tipped as relegation favorites.

After the match, the Manchester United captain complained to the media, saying the team made "the same mistakes as in away games last season." The Portuguese midfielder also said: "Every away game, we give too much possession to the opponent. In the first 20 minutes, the goalkeeper had the most touches."

"We need to press more, be more aggressive, and we also need to work harder on set pieces. We can't concede goals like that. Against these types of teams, they're just waiting for that moment."

However, Scholes questioned Fernandes's remarks on his podcast.

"I'd love to know what he actually meant by that. What mistakes exactly?" said the 51-year-old.

"Especially given how he played himself, I think it's best to keep quiet. His own performance wasn't great either."

Scholes and former Manchester United striker Dion Dublin also noted that Fernandes and teammate Luke Shaw both spoke after the match, which undermined manager Michael Carrick's authority. Shaw had said after the match: "This isn't our standard, and we knew it would be like this. I think overall, as a collective, we could have prepared better, especially knowing how strong they are at set pieces and the threats they pose."

Responding to the left-back's comments, Scholes said: "Luke Shaw always has to say something. This is a dig at your coaching staff and your manager. If one of your players says something like that, you'd think, 'Damn it, I should have them in on Monday morning.'"

Dublin said: "What you need is silence. If the captain has to speak, he has to speak, but he also has to make sure what he says doesn't make things worse. You can't give anyone ammunition, because your performance has already provided it."

Scholes added: "The problem with these comments isn't just about respect, but about undermining the manager and what he's said before. These are all digs at the manager and the coaching staff. If we as players had said that to Sir Alex Ferguson, 'We weren't ready,' damn it, you'd be called in immediately, and he'd probably tear you apart in front of the whole team."

Dublin had previously stated that Carrick's biggest challenge would be distancing himself from the players to establish authority.

"The hardest part is that during his interim manager period, he was like a friend, like a colleague to the players. Now that he's officially appointed, the hardest thing will be to sever those ties, and I think that will be difficult for a good person like Michael."

"But now he's the manager, he has to stop with the 'How are you, mate,' 'How's it going, pal,' 'Fancy a drink.' That can't happen anymore. Now it's: I'm the manager, you're the player. Do what I say."

Meanwhile, Scholes also discussed Harry Maguire's marking error on Mazraoui during Hull City's opening goal from a corner kick.

The center-back put his arm around Mazraoui and then lost track of Júnior Ajayi, his actual mark, who headed the ball into the net.

Scholes said: "The only thing I can think of is that he lost his defensive position. He was watching the ball, felt someone in front of him, and then just held onto him."

"That doesn't look good, does it? I'd like to hear his explanation."

Manchester United will host newly promoted Ipswich Town at home on Sunday.

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