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Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has called out four Red Devils stars over the club's slow start to the 2024-25 campaign. The former England midfielder feels the quartet of Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund need to step up their game.
Recall that Manchester United dropped points yet again as they played out a goalless draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend. The Red Devils created a lot of chances during the encounter but failed to take them.
After watching that disappointing performance, Paul Scholes couldn't help but point out how toothless the team was up front while calling out four players. He said on the Overlap fan debate:
"Manchester United are struggling going forward – they’re struggling for goals. They’ve scored five goals and three of them were against Southampton, that probably tells you the forwards just aren’t good enough."
He continued:
"Leaving Marcus Rashford out on Saturday was a strange one – he’s not scored for such a long time and suddenly, he comes and scores three goals in two games and he’s not playing. He [Erik ten Hag] said it was rotation – come on, do me a favor.
"Alejandro Garnacho is a threat but he’s not the end article and we don’t have that finished article in any of the forward areas, apart from Marcus Rashford who’s had a tough time.
Bruno Fernandes, who was Manchester United's top scorer in the Premier League last season with 10 goals was also mentioned - as was last year's summer signing Rasmus Hojlund. Paul Scholes continued:
"Bruno [Fernandes] will score you goals, but they don’t have the centre-forward [that they need]. Amad Diallo is a little bit like Garnacho – he’s a little bit behind him – but he’s got potential. They are all very raw and have too much potential along the front line."
"You think of [Rasmus] Højlund last year, again, it’s potential I’m not looking at him thinking, ‘Wow, we’ve got a centre-forward here, 25-30 goals.’ I’m not thinking that. [Joshua] Zirkzee does bring people into play a lot more than Højlund does, but is he that massive goal threat?" the Englishman added.
Manchester United's record in attack this season leaves a lot to be desired. The Red Devils have scored just five times in the Premier League this season, conceding five times in as many games.
Highlighting Manchester United's recent results
Manchester United kicked off the 2024-25 season with the Community Shield clash with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on August 10. Following a tense 1-1 draw, the Red Devils went on to lose the game 7-6 in the penalty shootout.
They managed to beat Fulham 1-0 in their Premier League opener but have only won two more games since then - a 3-0 victory over 10-man Southampton on September 13 and a 7-0 battering of Championship side Barnsley in the EFL Cup on September 17.
As it stands, Erik ten Hag's side's record reads three wins, one draw and three defeats in seven games, which includes the Community Shield versus Manchester City. The Red Devils will be back in action today (September 25) as they gear up to face FC Twente in the Europa League.
