Champions League
Nov 8, 2023 8.00pm
4
3
HT : 2 2
FT Parken
  • Mohamed Elyounoussi 45' goal
  • Diogo Goncalves 45'+9' goal
  • Denis Vavro 45'+11' yellowcard
  • Lukas Lerager 83' goal
  • Roony Bardghji 87' goal
  • goal Rasmus Hojlund 3'
  • goal Rasmus Hojlund 28'
  • redcard Marcus Rashford 42'
  • goal Bruno Fernandes 69'
  • yellowcard Harry Maguire 90'+3'

Paul Scholes: 'Manchester United have become a graveyard for managers'

Scholes: 'Man United have become a graveyard for managers'

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has branded the 20-time English champions "a graveyard for managers", with the pressure now being piled on current head coach Erik ten Hag.

The Red Devils have already lost nine times in all competitions this season, with their latest loss coming in extraordinary circumstances against Copenhagen on Wednesday night.

Man United, who had Marcus Rashford sent off in Denmark, led 2-0 and 3-2 on the night but ultimately lost 4-3, with the home side scoring twice in the latter stages to win it.

Ten Hag's side are now bottom of Group A and face an uphill task to qualify for the last-16 stage of the Champions League, while the team have also already lost five times in the Premier League this term.

Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford off the back of an impressive spell with Ajax, while he led Man United to a third-place finish in last season's Premier League table, in addition to securing the EFL Cup.

The Dutchman's job is now being called into question, though, due to the team's struggles, and Scholes has said that the club is now "a graveyard for managers".

"It has become a graveyard for managers, especially in that second season," Scholes told TNT Sports. "You think of the manager before that struggled in that second season and we all felt like last season they were getting back somewhere.

"I think he adjusted well last season. This season he started trying to play out and play beautiful football like he did at Ajax, but he quickly realised that these players were not good enough at it.

"He went a bit more direct, relied on counter-attacks and relied on players scoring goals. He has lost that from Marcus Rashford because he's in a bad vein of form, and this season he's finding it difficult to find balance in the team.

"He brought Mason Mount, he started the season as a starting holding midfield player, but the balance of the team is all wrong. They seem to be too wide open in the middle of the pitch, and I don't see anything that will fix that at this moment in time.

"He's the manager of the football team so ultimately he has to take responsibility for the performances and where they are. It has been difficult for so many players because they are out of form. Sometimes you just can't legislate for that.

"How can he pick a settled back four? We saw [Raphael] Varane against Galatasaray and he was all over the place, so you're thinking, 'If I can't rely on someone like him, or even Casemiro who has been a little bit loose'.

"These are two players who have won five European cups, if he can't rely on those players, where do I go? He's gone back to Jonny Evans who is a free transfer. It's the manager's responsibility."

Man United will be bidding to bounce back from their latest defeat when they welcome Luton Town to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

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POLL
Who will win Wednesday's Champions League clash between Copenhagen and Man Utd?
Copenhagen 31%
Draw 17%
Manchester United 53%
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