Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has sent a strong warning to one Manchester United player ahead of the Europa League final.
Manchester United‘s season in this year’s Premier League has been one to forget for fans and players alike.
The club have suffered a record number of losses this season, and currently sit in 15th position in the league, scoring just 42 goals so far.
Fortunately, they have held on to a lifeline in the form of the Europa League, beating Athletic Club 4-1 at Old Trafford in the second leg of the semi-final, wrapping up an astonishing 7-1 aggregate victory.
This result now means United are just one win away from gaining Champions League football next season, a feat which many deemed impossible just a few months ago.
A chance at Champions League redemption
The Red Devils will face fellow countrymen Tottenham Hotspur in the final. Both clubs have had awful domestic seasons, with the Spurs currently in one place behind United in the league.
This trophy is a chance for United to get amongst some of the best clubs in the world next season. It allows the club much leverage when acquiring new talent, something manager Rúben Amorim has made no secret of wanting to do over the summer.
One area that has been heavily criticised this season is United’s attack, with number nine Rasmus Højlund scoring a measly four goals in 29 league appearances.
His form in Europe has been much better though, with six goals in 14 appearances. The Dane also netted himself a goal tonight, tapping in a cross from Amad and letting out an almighty roar of relief in seeing the ball cross the line.
Scholes sends major warning to Højlund
With United comfortably into the final, Legendary ex-player Paul Scholes was careful not to celebrate too early. He pointed out that United desperately need players like Hojlund to perform if they are to stand a chance of winning, but that if he does, he could become a “hero” in the Europa League final.
“He could become a hero in the cup final,” Scholes said. “He’s going to have to be careful in the minutes, because there’s no other centre forward available, really.
“I don’t know what [Joshua] Zirkzee is up to, but he’s not going to be up to match speed anyway, so we’ll see what he does in the next couple of games.
“Manchester United need a centre forward who’s confident and looks like he’s going to score goals. He doesn’t always look that.
“Let us hope, like you say, is this the moment where he can kick start and have a really good end to a season which, in Europa League, has been fine… The Premier League’s been a struggle, but Europa League, he doesn’t seem to have a problem scoring goals.”
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