Paul Scholes, a revered former England and Manchester United midfielder, has taken up the role of an analyst for TNT Sports for the 2024/25 season. In his recent column, Scholes delivered his insights on critical aspects of football, particularly spotlighting Erling Haaland’s controversial penalty decision during the FA Cup final, where Manchester City suffered a setback. Additionally, he touched upon Jack Grealish’s current situation and explored the selection conundrums faced by Manchester United as they gear up for their UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. Fans can catch the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+ this coming Wednesday.
Scholes kicked off his column by reflecting on Haaland’s decision-making during the penalty incident in the FA Cup final. The choice of Haaland to relinquish the penalty kick to teammate Marmoush astonished him, with Scholes deeming it an outrageous decision. He acknowledged that while Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, has been relatively tight-lipped about the incident, it is improbable that he was pleased with Haaland’s choice. Scholes drew attention to the contrasting reactions of legendary managerial figures, stating that Sir Alex Ferguson would have likely been irate under similar circumstances.
The conversation shifted toward Haaland’s inconsistency in high-stakes matches. Although Scholes noted that Haaland’s record in finals has not been stellar, he expressed empathy towards the player, suggesting that not every big match would yield goals. Despite facing injury challenges earlier in the season, Haaland’s performance statistics remain commendable. In Scholes’ view, had the penalty opportunity arisen for seasoned strikers like Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney, or Cristiano Ronaldo, they would have seized it without hesitation—evidence of the mentality prevalent among top forwards.
Transitioning to Jack Grealish, Scholes weighed in on the Englishman’s future at Manchester City. The fact that Grealish was left on the bench throughout the FA Cup final, not even making a cameo, highlighted to Scholes that it might be time for the player to seek new horizons to reinvigorate his career. Scholes acknowledged Grealish’s potential and prowess but remarked on the inconsistency that has plagued him in recent years. He speculated that a return to Aston Villa could be a viable option, although he expressed uncertainty regarding how Grealish would fit into manager Unai Emery’s tactical approach. The sight of young Claudio Echeverri stepping onto the pitch ahead of Grealish undoubtedly felt disheartening, reinforcing Scholes’ belief that relocating could be mutually beneficial.
In a discussion about goalkeepers, Scholes pondered the exit of Dean Henderson from Manchester United. Despite Henderson having had a standout performance in the FA Cup final, Scholes contended that his departure was timely given that he was awarded ample opportunities at Old Trafford. Reflecting on Henderson’s inability to fully capitalize on these chances, Scholes deemed him a capable goalkeeper but asserted that he may not possess the requisite caliber for a club as prestigious as Manchester United.
As Manchester United prepares for the Europa League final, Scholes advocated for the inclusion of young talents Amad and Garnacho in the starting lineup. He regarded both players as essential sources of attacking threat, alongside Bruno Fernandes. To optimize the team’s structure, Scholes suggested that it could be beneficial to shift Fernandes into a central midfield position next to Casemiro, a tactic that has proven successful in past European encounters. This strategic flexibility could allow for a more potent offensive setup.
In light of the upcoming clash against Tottenham, Scholes expressed mixed feelings regarding form and expectations. He noted the propensity for defensive irregularities that both teams have shown in the Premier League, predicting that a decisive mistake, rather than a stroke of genius, might tip the match. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of player availability, remarking on the absence of key contributors like James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski for Spurs, implying that their absence would weaken Tottenham’s overall performance.
Ultimately, Paul Scholes concluded that, while the outcome was uncertain, Manchester United’s extensive experience in final matches and their winning mentality could give them an advantage over a Spurs team missing vital components. With so much at stake, both clubs must strive for precision, particularly as they prepare to do battle in Bilbao.
