Paul Scholes Urges Manchester United To Replace Solskjaer

Paul Scholes Urges Manchester United To Replace Solskjaer’s ‘Biggest Problem’

Paul Scholes wants Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace Victor Lindelof at Manchester United with a “dominant centre-half” who can partner Harry Maguire after they lost 2-1 to Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final.

A promising first full season in the Old Trafford hot-seat ends without silverware for the Norwegian, whose side wasted a glut of chances in Sunday’s Stadion Koln showdown and were made to pay for lax defending.

Bruno Fernandes’ spot-kick had United dreaming of the August 21 finale, only for former Liverpool man Suso to level and ex-Newcastle striker Luuk de Jong to secure Europa League kings Sevilla a comeback win in a pulsating clash.

And Scholes put the blame on Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka for De Jong’s winner and he reckons Man Utd need to buy another centre-back.

“As much as United deserved to win, there’s no doubt about that, they were the better team, you have to say the second goal, the defensive part of that was shocking,” Scholes told BT Sport.

“Lindelof and Maguire, both out past the near post, there’s one centre-forward, Lindelof has to see him. Then Wan-Bissaka has to cover for him if he doesn’t think he sees him.

“Surely Lindelof as a centre-half, he’s got his centre-forward, he’s got to be looking at him, his body angle’s all wrong. If they avoid that I think they will go on and score a goal because Sevilla looks knackered.

“They didn’t look like they were going to create a chance other than that one. There’s a lot wrong with the goal. You can almost blame the whole back four for this goal. Williams doesn’t get to the ball, where Maguire is, I don’t know. But for me Lindelof is the biggest problem.”

When asked about the Red Devils’ transfer plans, Scholes added: “I think they could do with a centre-half, I’ve said that all along. I’m not sure Lindelof is going to be good enough as a partner for Maguire. I think they need a more dominant defender next to him.

“Lindelof’s alright, their defensive record over the last 15-20 games has been very good, but a dominant centre-half next to Maguire, just to cover his slight weaknesses.”