On Thursday, Man United managed a comeback to defeat Southampton 3-1.
Amorim’s team secured their first league victory since mid-December thanks to Amad Diallo’s 12-minute hat-trick starting in the 82nd minute. ..Continue Reading
However, the Red Devils appeared sluggish and off their game for much of the match at Old Trafford.
In a post-match interview on TNT Sports, Scholes discussed the game with Amorim, referencing United’s determined performance in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield and their FA Cup triumph over Arsenal last weekend.
He questioned the lack of enthusiasm against the Saints and put that assessment to the Portuguese coach to which he replied: “It seems like a lack of enthusiasm. [Manuel] Ugarte is late and [Kobbie] Mainoo is late, Bruno Fernandes going outside when the ball is inside.
“One transition and [Leny] Yoro cannot catch the guy – small things push the team behind, and then we get nervous.
“Today was not a lack of enthusiasm, it was a lack of control in the game.”
Amorim added: “The feeling is that we have so much to do. “In the first half, every time Amad has the ball, he pushes the ball, he pushes the other team to the final third. That type of player is very important.
“We need training, I don’t know how long it will take. The profiles sometimes you can understand it’s not the right ones…”
After the game, Scholes said: “For 80 minutes that is as bad a performance as you’ll ever see especially against a team bottom of the league.
“I have to give Southampton credit, they are bottom of the league but they were so much better than Man United. The way they passed the ball, technically and tactically. That is probably why they are bottom of the league, because they can’t put teams away.
“Manchester United, Diallo was the one bright spark. I think the manager will still be disappointed with that performance.
“Against, as I said, a team who have really struggled to score and they concede goals all the time.
“I know Diallo has come and produced the win… he is the only one player who can take any credit out of this game tonight.”
Manchester United have moved up to 12th place in the Premier League standings after securing their seventh league victory of the season. They have accumulated 26 points from 21 matches.
Ruben Amorim’s team will continue their league campaign on Sunday when they face Brighton at home.
