Paul Scholes has slammed the Manchester United squad for not being brave enough during Sunday’s draw at Everton, targeting Bruno Fernandes for not delivering when it actually mattered.
United were trailing 2-0 by half-time at Goodison Park, courtesy of goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Ruben Amorim’s men were comically bad at the back and the hosts took full advantage. However, United somehow managed to fight back in the second half to ensure the spoils were shared.
Fernandes started the comeback with an incredible free-kick effort before Manuel Ugarte restored parity with a stupendous volley from the edge of the box.
After the final whistle, Amorim admitted that United “didn’t exist” during the opening 45 minutes. The Portuguese coach also hinted that he doesn’t know how to solve the club’s ongoing woes on the pitch.
Despite United earning a valuable point on hostile grounds, Scholes wasn’t impressed and not even the hero of the afternoon, Fernandes, escaped his wrath.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, Scholes pointed out, “When we talk about the last 20 minutes [of the match], how we were really good and shown bit braveness… people rave about the last 20 minutes.”
“Oh yeah we were brilliant, shown great character. But you’ve got to do that in the first 20 minutes.”
“Everton was hostile, there was great energy and they had the crowd on top of them. So where are you then? Where’s Bruno Fernandes then?”
He added, “That’s when you win your games of football because you get to 60 minutes and you know Everton have flown about everywhere they’ve got to be wrecked, they’re going to be knackered.”
“So even if you just keep it 0-0 by being brave and keeping possession away then maybe you can score a goal in the last half an hour.”
“That’s when you win the game at Goodison but they have shown they haven’t got the balls, they haven’t got the b*****s to do that in the first 20 minutes or half an hour of a game.”
United are back in action on Wednesday when they welcome Ipswich Town to Old Trafford. Kick-off is at 19:30 GMT.
Feature image Jan Kruger via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
