Man United is not Barcelona or Ajax – Paul Scholes warns Ten Hag against copying Van Gaal

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has warned Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag that Manchester United doesn’t have the players for a possession game.

Ex-England midfielder Scholes told Sky Sports’ The Overlap: “Louis Van Gaal joined Manchester United and wanted to play possession-based football, but United are not that.

“It was always about substance over style, scoring goals and making chances rather than a pretty end product.

“The crowd get nervous when the goalkeeper tries to play a ten-yard pass, that’s not a Manchester United philosophy, that’s Barcelona or Ajax. With Erik ten Hag, he’s stumbled across it.

“After the Brentford game, he realised he didn’t have the players to play that way, he knew he had to go more direct. Raphael Varane, as great a player as he’s been, is not a great footballer. David De Gea is not a great footballer.

“So, play to your strengths, which for United is the attacking players, and you have to admire the new manager for playing that way [more direct].”