Paul Scholes slams ‘criminal’ Man Utd incident that led to mid-game fight

Diogo Dalot drew the ire of Manchester United team-mate Rasmus Hojlund after failing to pass to him against Real Sociedad and has been criticised by ex-Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has criticised Diogo Dalot’s failure to find Rasmus Hojlund during the Red Devils’ draw with Real Sociedad.

United failed to come away with a first leg advantage in the Europa League. Joshua Zirkzee had handed Ruben Amorim’s side the lead but saw it cancelled out by Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty following Bruno Fernandes ‘ handball.

The result will be met with some frustartion however, as United failed to take advantage of their opporunities, sometimes not even managing to get a shot away. Hojlund was left frustrated when Dalot opted to cut back when a cross would have found the Denmark star well-placd to find the net.

Scholes believes Dalot’s decision and inability to see his team-mate’s run was ‘criminal’. It is such actions that saw United unable to prove threatening.

“They should be ahead, Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund,” said Scholes of the incident. “They have dangerous players but haven’t been a threat.

“The frustrating thing is we watched them practice that. For Dalot not to see it is criminal. He has made a good run, you are a right-back, for any right back in world football to not see that is criminal.”

United head coach Amorim, called upon his players to move on from the incident instead of fighting. “We’re creating chances, but sometimes you don’t see it in the expected goals, because we manage not to shoot,” said the 40-year-old.

“But the great opportunities are there and you can see it. We have transitions, we have situations and sometimes we’re missing something.

“That can change something, especially in these kinds of games, when we need goals that can make a difference. I’m just imagining Diogo didn’t know for sure that Rasmus had the advantage and he felt that he had a lot of time to think of the play.

“It was a clear position, Rasmus did really well, Dalot did really well, but the decision was not the best. The important thing is to move on and not be fighting.”

Scholes was not alone in his frustration with Dalot. Ex-Blackburn Rovers midfielder Robbie Savage was in disbelief. “That’s not acceptable from Dalot,” he said.

“If I’m the manager I would be absolutely hammering him right now. What is going through Dalot’s mind there? You can see Hojlund is in… pass it! That was the perfect opportunity for Man United and Hojlund.

“I just don’t know why he doesn’t roll it across to Hojlund. That is a great example of the lack of service he gets. He’s been lively so far but has nothing to show from it.”

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