Pranav Nair
Paul Scholes demands more from the Manchester United center-back duo and Bruno Fernandes
Speaking to Premier League Productions (h/t The Metro), Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes the club’s struggles against other top teams can be traced back to their centre-back pairing.
The Red Devils were at the receiving end of yet another drab goalless draw against a big six side at Stamford Bridge yesterday night.
Worryingly, United have failed to score from open play in any of the seven matches so far against the big six. Our lone strike came courtesy of a Bruno Fernandes penalty in the 6-1 loss to Tottenham.
Rather than question the forwards, Scholes believes the cause for United’s misfiring frontline is their defensive pairing at the end of the pitch.
“A lot of the problems I see are them two centre-halves and goalkeeper – well, not so much goalkeeper today – but the centre-halves need protecting
With Solskjaer forced to play two holding midfielders to protect his defence, there is a scarcity of attacking impetus coming from the midfield. While we may be addressing one issue, it has come at the cost of another.
“You’ve got to have your two holding midfield players right next to them all the time and it takes away everything from your attacking ability.”
High risk, high reward!
Scholes has called for United to take more risks and get their midfield involved in attacks. Given how we have hit a blank in games of such calibre this season, it is clear that Solskjaer has a safety-first approach rather than a gung ho one.
“Let your midfield players join in attacks and at least contribute something to the attacking side of the game.”
Bruno Fernandes too came under fire for going missing when the team needed him. The Portuguese star is the club’s best player but has often been anonymous when pitted against the top sides.
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Despite the promise shown this season, it is pretty self-evident that United have a number of issues to address if they are to go to the next level.
The double-pivot, although it offers solidity, has stunted our attacking prowess. While the likes of Paul Pogba and Fernandes are capable of the extraordinary, hoping they will conjure up magic every single game is too much to expect.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will do well to take a brave approach in the games to come.
