'Lionel Messi would struggle in this team': Paul Scholes continues criticism of Manchester United

Club great has been an outspoken critic and believes rivals are 'looking at us and laughing like we did at them many years ago'

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester United v Newcastle United - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - October 6, 2018  Paul Scholes looks down from the studio in the stadium before the match   REUTERS/Phil Noble  EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.  Please contact your account representative for further details.
Powered by automated translation

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has continued his criticism of the club by claiming even Lionel Messi would struggle in the current team.

Scholes, 43, has been a frequent and vocal critic of his old club, who are languishing in eighth place in the Premier League, five points adrift of any other member of the "Big Six".

They had to watch Manchester City win last season's title in record-breaking fashion and Pep Guardiola's men are flying high at the top once more, alongside Liverpool and manager Jose Mourinho's former club Chelsea.

___________

Read more:

Jose Mourinho: Man United manager charged by FA over comments after win against Newcastle

Wayne Rooney: Former captain defends Jose Mourinho and demands Man United players 'stand up'

Andy Mitten: Newcastle win highlights support Jose Mourinho still has at Manchester United

___________

"That shouldn't make any difference but it does," Scholes told ESPN. "United now feels like Liverpool from years ago, like we're making all the same mistakes as they did.

"We were watching Liverpool and City from afar and smirking as they changed managers and players every year, never getting anything right. It feels like we have turned into a Liverpool or a Man City.

"I feel like people at Liverpool and Man City are looking at us and laughing like we did at them many years ago."

Mourinho has spent more than £350 million (Dh1.68 billion) on players since arriving at Old Trafford in 2016.

Despite that, he has clashed with the club's hierarchy over recruitment while costly signings including Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba have failed to flourish under his management.

"I don't think there's a lack of quality there," said Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles during his 20 years at United. "I do think they miss a couple of real class players that other top teams seem to have - a link player between the midfield and the forwards and also a controlling midfield player.

"It feels like every player who comes into the team struggles. I feel like we could sign Lionel Messi at the moment and he'd struggle in this team.

"I think [Mourinho] still is [a great manager], but you wonder why his side keep getting outplayed."