‘I worry about him’ - Paul Scholes has concern over Man Utd star after Champions League defeat

Manchester United’s poor start to the season continued as they suffered their fifth defeat in seven matches as they were beaten by Turkish outfit Galatasaray in the Champions League.

Ten-man United twice took the lead through young striker Rasmus Hojlund, but were only able to hold their lead for a combined 10 minutes on both occasions. The defeat leaves United bottom of their Champions League group, four points behind Galatasaray in second place and six points behind group leaders Bayern Munich.

The Red Devils have already conceded seven goals in their opening two Champions League games and Old Trafford icon Paul Scholes has expressed his concern at one individual who worries him in the backline.

Raphael Varane arrived at Old Trafford from Real Madrid in 2021 and is amongst the most decorated players in the squad with four Champions League titles in the Spanish capital. But Scholes was critical of the 30-year-old and claims that injuries are beginning to catch up with the French international.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes said: “I worry about Varane a bit, he has been one of the very best defenders around, in that same ilk at Real Madrid. I just think his legs are looking sluggish, he can’t keep fit and I worry about him.’”

Scholes was also critical of Varane’s centre back partner Victor Lindelof and claims the team neglected their defensive duties during the game.

He added: “Really disappointed. I actually don’t think they played that badly. All the talk before the game was that they couldn’t really score goals and there was a lack of goals in the team. It is almost as if we disregarded the defensive side of the game and the defensive side of the team. It wasn’t good enough; they were wide open at times.

“The centre halves especially. Amrabat, look he’s not a left-back he gets done for the third goal. But it was so wide open (the defence) Lindelof and Varane were so soft and weak and we all know what the goalkeeper did as well.”

Man Utd have kept just three clean sheets from their opening 10 games in all competitions and they are desperate to turn their poor run of form around in the coming weeks.

Erik Ten Hag’s side host an out-of-form Brentford team in their next league match, before travelling to the league’s bottom club Sheffield United in their first game after the international break.

They resume their European campaign with a must-win home tie against FC Copenhagen before taking on Man City in a highly-anticipated derby at the end of October.