Paul Scholes accuses David de Gea of 'bottling it' against RB Leipzig

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has suggested that David de Gea's lack of bravery was partly to blame for the club's Champions League exit.

The Red Devils required only a point from Tuesday evening's trip to RB Leipzig, but they fell three goals down and eventually lost 3-2.

All three goals exposed United's five-man defence, the third of which was scored by Justin Kluivert, who pounced on some hesitancy and clipped the ball over de Gea.

Scholes believes that the Spanish goalkeeper, returning to the side after sitting out Saturday's win over West Ham through injury, could have done more to prevent the goal.

"David de Gea here bottles it, doesn't he? Basically, he's scared of getting hurt," he told BT Sport. "It should never go across the box like that.

"Harry Maguire looks wooden, he's very stiff. And De Gea, as a goalkeeper, he comes out, make yourself as big as you can, you might get smashed in the face, you might get injured, but he turns his back away.

"He makes himself smaller which is criminal and for such an experienced goalkeeper. It's criminal."

United will now compete in the Europa League post-Christmas, while Leipzig join Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League.