THREE Manchester United stars have been criticised for their roles in Barcelona’s opening goal last night.
The Red Devils grabbed a useful 2-2 draw in their Europa League play-off first leg in Spain.
But it could have been even better, had a trio of their stars done better for Marcos Alonso’s goal.
The former Chelsea ace headed home at the back post after he found himself unmarked at a corner.
Analysing the goal on BT Sport after the game, Man United legend Paul Scholes said: “When you look at the first goal it is [Tyrell] Malacia who doesn’t pick up Alonso, he lets him free, really.
“It is only a basic bit of movement from Alonso that loses him too. Fred as well, probably didn’t challenge as well as he could.
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“It is a basic bit of movement from Alonso and Malacia doesn’t stay with him.”
Scholes, 48, was also unhappy with goalkeeper David de Gea.
He added: “I think the goalkeeper should do better, it goes in quite easily at that near post. David looks a little bit worried about colliding with the post.
“But Malacia there, he has to stay with him and when he doesn’t, Fred has to cover, ‘my mate has made a mistake, I’ve got to cover for him’, But he doesn’t do that.”
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Agreeing with Scholes, his ex-United team-mate Owen Hargreaves added: “Whether it is the Champions League or Europa League, the margins are so fine.
“If you are given a job you have to do it. I think Erik ten Hag will be disappointed.”
Within ten minutes of Alonso’s opener, United had turned the game on it’s head.
Marcus Rashford scored a brilliant leveller, before teeing up Jules Kounde’s own goal.
Ex-Leeds ace Raphinha was on hand to level in the 76th minute, leaving the tie delicately poised.
After the match, United boss Ten Hag gushed over his side’s display… but felt they could have done even better.
He said: “If you face No 1 of Spain in an away game and you are that dominant, you can see it as a positive.
“We created many chances – more than you can expect, actually – and there’s a little bit of disappointment that we didn’t score them.
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“We should have scored minimum four goals tonight.”
The second leg will take place at Old Trafford next Thursday.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
