Paul Scholes has named two Manchester United players he feels Rúben Amorim will replace this summer amid a 2-2 Europa League draw against Olympique Lyonnais.
The first leg of Manchester United’s Europa League quarter-final against Olympique Lyonnais ended in a 2-2 draw, with André Onana heavily criticized for his performance.
Lyon enjoyed the majority of possession in the opening 20 minutes, but Rasmus Højlund missed the game’s first real opportunity. Bruno Fernandes then saw a sharp effort deflected over the bar soon after.
Lyon took the lead in the 25th minute, with Thiago Almada’s free-kick cross evading everyone, including Onana, and bouncing into the net. Lyon’s confidence grew, but just before half-time, Leny Yoro equalized for United.
The second half saw both teams create a few half-chances, but neither could find the breakthrough. United pushed for a winner, with Rúben Amorim introducing Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount. Alejandro Garnacho came close with a shot from close range, but Lyon’s goalkeeper, Lucas Perri, made the save.
As the game neared its conclusion, United thought they had scored the winning goal when a superb cross from Fernandes found Zirkzee, who headed in from close range. However, in the final moments, Rayan Cherki struck for Lyon, ensuring the match ended 2-2.
Scholes unimpressed with United duo vs Lyon
Reacting to the result on TNT Sports, former United midfielder Paul Scholes has explained he feels there are two players whom Amorim will look to replace this summer.
Amid United’s starting front line failing to score against Lyon, Scholes feels that Højlund and Garnacho will both be replaced by Amorim in the coming months after their poor respective campaigns.
“I think these forward players have probably shown they’re not quite up to the level required,” Scholes explained after watching the draw against Lyon.
“You look at the goal record from the last 25, 26 games. I think Garnacho scored one, Rasmus Højlund scored three in the Premier League this season. It’s not quite up to the level I think it is needed.
“So I think improvements are going to have to be made in that area of pitch [in the summer transfer window]. But I think improvements right through the team are going to need.
“We’ve all watched the Champions League games Tuesday, Wednesday night. You watch the level of that game tonight, and it’s way below where you need to be.”
Scholes went on to say: “As we saw, especially in that first half, there was a time when the ball went up to Højlund and into Garnacho.
“They’re so erratic and so poor in possession that there’s almost no belief in them either. There’s no conviction in what they’re trying to do. We all know goals are a big problem for this team, and quality is needed all around this team to make it anywhere near a Champions League team.”
Who could United sign this summer?
Amid Højlund and Garnacho’s poor form, United have been linked to a whole host of attacking talent that they may be able to get their hands on.
Many reports have recently stated that the club have chosen Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap as their priority striker signing, although Viktor Gyökeres and Victor Osimhen also remain on their shortlist.
With respect to potentially replacing Garnacho, links have surfaced naming Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha as a potential option.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has named Højlund’s future as a “one to watch” this summer amid growing interest from Serie A sides.
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