Paul Scholes is the latest Manchester United legend to admit that the extent of the current malaise at Old Trafford no longer has him angry and instead leaves him sad at what has become an “unrecognisable club”.
The former United midfielder was speaking after watching his old team get dismantled by Liverpool at Anfield, losing 4-0 as the Red Devils' miserable season reached a new nadir. Goals from Luis Diaz, Sadio Mane and a Mohamed Salah brace condemned United to another painful and humiliating defeat by their biggest rivals.
In four games against Manchester City and Liverpool this season, United have shipped 15 goals and scored just one in return, such is the gulf between them and the real title challengers. And Scholes slammed what he described as a “disgusting” performance, but claims that the anger has subsided, with just sadness left over.
“I’ve lost a little bit of anger towards it now, I feel saddened, it’s not great to watch,” Scholes told Premier League Productions. “They lack belief, they lack a way of playing.
“I’d like to see them give at least a little bit of effort, it looks like the last place they want to see. They want their season over, they want it done, they want to move on, but unfortunately there’s no hiding place. You can’t come to Anfield and be like that.
“Them fans have travelled a long way, it’s disgusting to watch. But that’s where the club are at the minute. They’ve got to give a little bit of effort, just for them fans coming to the ground.”
HAVE YOUR SAY! How many signings do Man Utd need this summer? Let us know in the comments
Posting on social media on Wednesday morning, Scholes said everyone at the club needs to get behind incoming manager Erik ten Hag and give him the resources he needs to completely transform their fortunes. “Finish 8th and give this man what he needs…saddened by what’s happening, an unrecognisable football club,” Scholes said.
Scholes trod a similar path to his former midfield colleague Roy Keane, who rather than rant and rave was left in a reflective mood following the thrashing on Merseyside.
"It's not anger, it was anger earlier in the season. It's sadness," he told Sky Sports. “You look at the team today, there wasn't any heart, no soul, no leaders, they lack real quality.
“They are so far off and you look at the United fans tonight…there's no surprise with the scoreline, but Liverpool could score any time they went forward. There is disarray at the club from the top. The fans have no time for the owners. They need a new manager, they need players in, they need players out.
"It's so sad to see. It's not the club I played for. It doesn't reflect what Man Utd stood for when I played for it. It's chalk and cheese. I don't see a Manchester United team out there fighting and playing with pride. There's no hiding. At this level you get found out. It's so sad watching this team."
