Scholes: I wouldn’t enjoy playing for LVG’s Man United

It’s probably pretty safe to say that Paul Scholes enjoyed his time playing for Manchester United, given the 16 major trophies won across his 20-year career playing under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Therefore, it’s probably also pretty safe to say that Scholes could levy few harsher criticisms of current Man United manager Louis Van Gaal, than to say he wouldn’t have enjoyed playing for the Dutchman’s iteration of United.

Speaking on BBC Radio Manchester this week, the 40-year-old former midfield extraordinaire had the following to say of the current United team — quotes from the Guardian:

“There’s a lack of creativity and risk. It’s a team now you wouldn’t want to play against because they’re tightly organised. But it seems he doesn’t want players to beat men and it’s probably not a team I’d have enjoyed playing in.”

…

“The hardest thing to coach is scoring goals and creativity. I was at the derby on Sunday and Rooney’s movement was brilliant, but when he’s playing in that team there’s no one prepared to pass to him. I think after 20 minutes you’d be tearing your hair out.

“I played with some brilliant center forwards and I don’t think they could play in this team — the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham. You don’t get crosses into the box or midfielders looking for runs.”

This, of course, is far from the first time Scholes has been critical of Van Gaal’s side, but it comes across as the deepest dig the United legend has made publicly.

While Scholes is correct in pointing out United are hardly the most enjoyable attacking side to watch in the Premier League this season, the fact they’ve conceded the joint-fewest goals (8) in the league through 10 games is a narrow improvement on last season’s 37-in-38 tally, and a far cry from the 43-in-38 of 2013-14 under (mostly) David Moyes.

Is Scholes being too harsh on LvG with regard to playing unattractive football, or does he deserve the criticism considering he’s spent more than $300 million on player transfers since being appointed United manager 18 months ago?

Credits: NBC Sports