Manchester United suffered another low point after they were demolished 4-0 by Crystal Palace on Monday night at Selhurst Park.
There is already big pressure on Erik ten Hag’s shoulders amid doubts about his future at the club, but you feel this latest defeat was the worst of the lot.
Paul Scholes was left seething by what he saw and how Manchester United were ‘so easy to play against that it’s untrue’.
Yes, the European chasers had several key players missing, but it still shouldn’t account for the team producing such a shambolic display, especially from a defensive aspect.
Crystal Palace scored two goals in either half, with the home team having 18 efforts on goal. Ten of which were on target.
Given the injuries at centre-back, the experienced Casemiro was deployed at the heart of the defence, alongside another veteran, Jonny Evans.
The midfield consisted of teenager Kobbie Mainoo and playmaker Christian Eriksen playing a much deeper role.
But Scholes admitted that Casemiro was a ’tough watch’ and how he spent most of his time on his backside, with transfer target Michael Olise causing him many issues, as he told Premier League Productions (06/05/24 at 9:55 pm).
Another player he singled out was Eriksen and how he didn’t have the physicality to compete in the middle of the park.
But the Treble-winner under Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t pull any punches because he added that certain players just ‘shouldn’t be at the club’.
Casemiro horror show against Crystal Palace
“A very upsetting and sad performance,” said Scholes. “Even though there are a lot of players out who would probably start in the team. Five or six probably of the main ones. But it felt like one team had been coached and set up how to play. And one team that was so easy to play against that it’s untrue.
“There are still some good players in that Man United team and playing out on that pitch. You think of the likes of Casemiro. He’s tough to have a go at. What a player he has been over the years, but that was tough to watch, he was on his backside most of the time. People like Christian Eriksen as well. That physicality in the middle of the pitch has gone.
“I reckon that could have happened four or five times where Casemiro sits down and somebody skips past him. The lads not a centre-halve. It’s tough to have a bit of a pop at him. He has done so much for the game. A fantastic footballer. It’s difficult watching a few of these actually because I do feel they are towards the end. They shouldn’t be at a club of this stature really.”
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It remains to be seen if ten Hag will continue in his role beyond this season. The FA Cup final against Manchester City is going to be huge.
One thing is for sure, if Man United get thumped and beaten heavily at Wembley, then ten Hag will probably be packing his own bags.
READ MORE: ‘HE ENJOYS BEING ON THE PITCH…’ CASEMIRO LAUDS ‘EXCELLENT’ PLAYER AT MANCHESTER UNITED
Either way, the majority of the squad at Manchester United needs to head for the exit door and continue their careers elsewhere.
Far too many players have simply failed, failed and failed under several managers and there comes a point where you no longer look towards the dugout.