Paul Scholes was put in his place by a fellow pundit after slamming a player during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
Manchester United’s Europa League knockout tie with Real Sociedad remains in the balance after a 1-1 draw in the first leg. Joshua Zirkzee put United ahead in the second half, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty ensured the spoils were shared.
United controlled possession from the start but struggled to create clear chances. Their best opening of the first half came in the 37th minute when Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes both had shots blocked on the line. Sociedad grew into the game but failed to capitalise before the break.
Amorim’s side found the breakthrough early in the second half, with Zirkzee converting from Alejandro Garnacho’s cut-back. However, Sociedad were handed a lifeline when Fernandes was penalised for handball, allowing Oyarzabal to level from the spot with 20 minutes remaining.
Amorim introduced Christian Eriksen in search of more control, but Sociedad looked the more threatening in the closing stages. A crucial late save from André Onana kept the tie level, setting up a decisive second leg at Old Trafford.
Scholes takes aim at Garnacho vs Sociedad
In reaction to the game, former United midfielder Paul Scholes took aim at Garnacho for “sulking” after he was substituted in the second half.
Although United dominated the game, Sociedad had a flurry of chances towards the end of the 90 minutes, which Amorim attributed to fatigue having also played 120 minutes against Fulham four days prior.
“He looked like he was sulking a little bit to me,” Scholes said of Garnacho on TNT Sports. “I am not having fatigue. I think they are alright. I don’t think there are great legs in this Man United team.
“Garnacho’s biggest strength is running through. Sometimes he makes the wrong decisions but he had a lack of energy and a little bit of sulkiness. He will need to get better as they don’t really have anything else to call on.”
Scholes then added: “Coming to these places, European away games are difficult. It wasn’t the most hostile of atmospheres. United played well without looking like they would go onto win the game convincingly. There is a slight lack of where the goals will come from.”
Carney puts Scholes in his place
However, fellow TNT pundit and former England midfielder Karen Carney hit back at Scholes, stating straight after that Scholes had ignored the fact that Garnacho had strapping around his knee, which may have hindered his abilities and made him look a little more of a shadow of his best self.
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“It didn’t look like Garnacho had the burst, and he had something taped round his knee,” she explained in response to Scholes’ comments.
“He didn’t look himself. Maybe he had a poor game. Maybe he hadn’t won the game like they thought. I do think fatigue was a factor. They bring on subs and he has no one to bring on.”
Amorim explained last week that Garnacho had suffered a knock on his knee during a midweek tie against Ipswich, and the player has played with a strapping on his knee in the last two games.
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