Paul Scholes criticised Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim for focusing solely on the Europa League amid their Premier League downfall. The Red Devils will face the struggling West Ham United on Sunday in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford.
Man United have endured a terrible campaign, currently 15th in the Premier League table with 16 losses from 35 matches. If the Red Devils lose to West Ham, the Hammers would go ahead of them in the Premier League table.
The possibility of finishing as low as 17th in the Premier League is embarrassing and unacceptable for the Red Devils. Amorim has rested his best players in the Premier League recently, opting to solely focus on their Europa League campaign.
Writing in his column for TNT Sports, Scholes criticised United boss Amorim for compromising the Premier League in favour of the Europa League campaign this season. He wrote:
“Manchester United should be able to play in two or three competitions at once without sacrificing something, and they’ve clearly sacrificed the league. I don’t like it and I don’t agree with it and I believe there has to be some sort of standards required in a Premier League team. It’s almost as if they go into Premier League games and there’s an acceptance that they’re not going to win the game, which is madness. I think the acceptance has come from everyone.”
Scholes has every right to criticise the poor mindset from Amorim, something that the majority of the fanbase are backing. While the Europa League is United’s final hope to win some silverware and qualify for the Champions League competition, their current position is well beneath their stature as a top English club.
United’s arch-rivals, Liverpool’s Premier League triumph, is only rubbing more salt into the wound of many fans and ex-players. These former United players and fans have set a higher standard and demand, even when the situation is dire.
There is a “never give up” mentality that a United player and manager should maintain towards every game. That mentality is sorely lacking in the current environment, and Amorim must reestablish that mindset.
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United will face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final after beating Athletic Club convincingly in the semifinals. The Red Devils should play their best team in the remaining fixture to build positive momentum before the upcoming finale.