PAUL SCHOLES slammed into Manchester United after they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw with Sevilla.
The Red Devils were coasting thanks to Marcel Sabitzer’s first-half double before the Spanish visitors turned the game on its head.
But Scholes bemoaned United’s complacency and claimed Erik ten Hag let Sevilla back into the game by weakening the team with his subs.
Own goals from Tyrell Malacia and Harry Maguire produced an unlikely result and evened up the tie ahead of the second leg in Seville next week.
Scholes fumed after the match on BT Sport, saying: “Great result for Sevilla. Man Utd were very quiet in second half, they didn’t create any chances.
“Those subs weakened the team… you half-understand Anthony Martial, being fragile.
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“But second half, United were really sloppy. If away goals were still around, United would face an uphill battle.
“You saw enough to see Sevilla aren’t great, but it’s gonna be difficult.
Scholes continued: “United were too complacent, too confident that Sevilla weren’t great in that first half.
“United were playing so well and so confident – you’re thinking this is gonna be 3, 4, 5-0 and it’s gonna be tie over tonight.
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“The second half was a complete disaster.
“Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t have allowed us to be complacent in the second half of a quarter-final.
“This is the time to win this game. You win it here tonight. That should be 3, 4, 5-0.”
“Malacia really should have dealt with that first goal – he’s unaware of the danger – and from then on it was a really difficult night.
“From then on it goes from bad to worse… injuries, suspensions, then they get the second goal.
“We’ve just [they took their foot off the gas].
“The manager should not let them take their foot off the gas in a big European quarter-final.”
To make matters worse for United Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane were forced off with injuries in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes also picked up a booking which means he is suspended for the second leg.
Another club icon Peter Schmeichel also piled into the players while appearing on BBC Radio 5 Live.
He said: ”It’s a fair enough result, the way that it developed in the second half.
“The players of Manchester United have missed a very good opportunity here.
“A few players today need to have a look at themselves and think about whether they are contributing to the team enough.
“There are a few players who should be embarrassed with their performances.
“De Gea played well, he made two fantastic saves, could not do anything about the goals. He kept Man Utd in the lead to no avail.
“Casemiro came back and played really well as well.
“The best player is the guy who scored two goals, Marcel Sabitzer was really good.
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“His team-mates have let him down…he showed the way and they didn’t catch on to it.
“It’s 2-2 and as a Man Utd supporter, I’m really disappointed. This could and should have been a 5-0 win.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
