Pundits slam THREE Man United stars for Barca's first goal in 2-2 draw
‘If you are given a job, you HAVE to do it’: Owen Hargreaves and Paul Scholes slam THREE Man United stars for Barcelona’s first goal in 2-2 draw, with Tyrell Malacia, Fred and David de Gea all blamed for Marcos Alonso’s opener
- Manchester United drew 2-2 with Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Thursday
- Marcos Alonso scored first after losing his marker and heading in a corner
- Paul Scholes criticised United defender Tyrell Malacia for ‘letting him free’
Paul Scholes and Owen Hargreaves did not hold back in their analysis of Manchester United’s defence after Barcelona scored an avoidable first goal in Thursday’s Europa League clash.
In a tie that felt more befitting a Champions League final than Europa League play-off, former Chelsea defender Marcos Alonso opened the scoring after breaking away from his marker and heading in a corner at the far post.
United came back into the game thanks to a 22nd goal of the season from Marcus Rashford, before a Jules Kounde own goal and late equaliser from Raphinha meant it finished 2-2 at the Nou Camp.
Despite the thrilling game, Scholes was keen to focus on Alonso’s goal, as he told BT Sport: ‘When you look at the first goal it is [Tyrell] Malacia who doesn’t pick up Alonso, he lets him free, really.
‘It is only a basic bit of movement from Alonso that loses him too. Fred as well, probably didn’t challenge as well as he could.
Marcos Alonso opened the scoring in Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United
Pundits blamed United’s defending for the goal, with Tyrell Malacia accused of not following a ‘basic piece of movement’
Fred was criticised for not covering for his left back as Alonso headed in at the near post
‘It is a basic bit of movement from Alonso and Malacia doesn’t stay with him.
The legendary United midfielder also singled out David de Gea for criticism, as he continued: ‘I think the goalkeeper should do better, it goes in quite easily at that near post. David looks a little bit worried about colliding with the post.
‘But Malacia there, he has to stay with him and when he doesn’t, Fred has to cover, “my mate has made a mistake, I’ve got to cover for him”, But he doesn’t do that.’
Hargreaves agreed with his former teammate, adding: ‘Whether it is the Champions League or Europa League, the margins are so fine. If you are given a job you have to do it. I think Erik ten Hag will be disappointed.’
Thursday’s draw leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the reverse leg at Old Trafford next week, with United holding a slight advantage in front of their home fans.
Red Devils manager ten Hag may face something of a selection dilemma, with next Thursday’s game falling between tricky league encounters against in-form Leicester and top four rivals Newcastle.
Paul Scholes felt the first goal was avoidable despite United’s solid performance overall
He said keeper David de Gea ‘should do better’ after Alonso’s header flew past him
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