Paul Scholes has labelled Edinson Cavani's final season at Manchester United as a "disgrace".
The Uruguayan penned a one-year extension to remain at Old Trafford but was largely ineffective in his second season at the club. He silenced the doubters in his debut campaign, scoring 17 times. However the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo hampered his ambitions and he was very much a squad player.
That frustration sometimes came across in his performances and the former PSG man only notched on two occasions. He had to be talked into staying midway through the season by Ralf Rangnick, but he decided to withdraw from certain games - something Scholes has taken issue with.
He told Premier League productions: "Cavani I think was a disgrace this year, he hardly ever played. He pulled out of the Middlesbrough game because he had to travel back from wherever he was. Funnily enough, since that Middlesbrough game I think I heard last night United have won only five out of 18 games or something since then.
"It’s been embarrassing, this manage [Erik ten Hag] now needs backing. Who’s going to help him do that? The club upstairs is still a bit of a mess, we don’t really know." Cavani's exit further adds to the forward woes at Old Trafford with options seemingly limited.
Anthony Martial was allowed to leave on loan but couldn't find his best form and Sevilla and will now return. Marcus Rashford meanwhile has looked a shadow of his former self so, as it stands, Ronaldo will again be relied upon despite turning 38 next season.
The Portuguese star was one of three major signings last summer. Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane were the other two, with the latter being announced on the opening weekend of the season. The centre-half arrived with a huge reputation following four Champions League successes at Real Madrid.
However United continued to ship goals and Varane's presence did little to improve their fortunes at the back. Scholes felt that the new arrival did slip below standards but his absences through injury have somewhat spared his blushes.
He claimed: "Do you know what, we go back to last year as well we thought Ronaldo’s coming in, Varane is coming in. You are thinking, ‘yeah, here we go. Varane’s been disappointing. I think he’s got away with it a little bit. A lot of injuries, hardly played a game."
New boss Erik ten Hag is poised to seek defensive reinforcements this summer, highlighting the lack of belief in the club's current options with Villarreal's Pau Torres among those linked.
