Paul Scholes questions David de Geas Man United future after error-strewn display in loss at Sevilla
‘David de Gea has been a fantastic goalkeeper, but he is NOT a fantastic footballer’: Paul Scholes questions Spaniard’s Man United future after poor errors in a 3-0 loss at Sevilla and states Erik ten Hag will want a player who can ‘play out from the back’
- Scholes broke down his performance against Sevilla and his future at United
- The Spanish shot stopper’s contract is due to expire at the end of the season
- However, both Youssef En Nesyri’s goals came from mistakes by the goalkeeper
Paul Scholes has questioned David de Gea’s future at Manchester United after an error-strewn display in their 3-0 loss at Sevilla.
The 32-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has gone on to rack up more than 500 appearances for the club.
The Spanish shot stopper is understood to be close to re-signing, albeit on a lower salary, with his contract due to expire at the end of the season.
However, both Youssef En Nesyri’s goals came from mistakes by the United goalkeeper while trying to play the ball with his feet, while he also allowed Sevilla’s second goal to loop in over the top of him via Loic Bade’s shoulder.
Scholes broke down De Gea’s performance against Sevilla and his future at the Red Devils.
Paul Scholes has questioned David de Gea’s future at Man United after an error-strewn display
Both Youssef En Nesyri goals came from mistakes by the 32-year-old Spanish shot stopper
Scholes believes Ten Hag will want a goalkeeper who is more confident in possession
The former midfielder told BT Sport: ‘You have to question the goalkeeper, especially tonight. Erik ten Hag, eventually, will want to play out from the back.
‘David de Gea has been a fantastic goalkeeper, but he is not a fantastic footballer. We saw the pass he played into Harry Maguire.
‘Look, it’s not a bad pass and I know that Harry Maguire wanted it, but you have to read the situation, read what’s going on in the stadium and it is not a place [to do it].
‘Harry Maguire wants the ball and I don’t know why he wants the ball. As I said before, there is only one centre-half in world football who is good receiving the ball with his back to play.’
‘Regardless of whether the manager wants him to play, read the situation,’ added Scholes, 48. ‘He needed to read what was going on.
‘You have to read the situation and what’s happening. At Manchester City, Pep [Guardiola] would probably say “Go on, hit it up high”.
‘They fell into the trap of playing those passes and Sevilla were aggressive in getting to the ball.
‘I think he was making the whole team nervous! It’s a question of: does he fit Erik ten Hag’s philosophy?’
De Gea’s poor pass out from his penalty area lead to Manchester United falling behind
Scholes broke down De Gea’s performance against Sevilla and his future at the Red Devils
De Gea raced out his penalty area to control the ball but gave it away for Sevilla’s third goal
However, Ten Hag sprang to De Gea’s defence adding: ‘He’s the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League, and that shows he’s a very capable goalkeeper.’
Ten Hag continued: ‘We have to do better, that’s the demand. We were not composed, not calm.
‘We didn’t beat the press, when you do there are so many spaces behind, and it was obvious at the start how to do it.
‘We lost the battles, they had more passion, more desire, more willingness. This was a great opportunity, a great occasion, to win something and we gave it away – we have to blame ourselves. It’s gone, we can’t change it.’
