Skip to content

Paul Scholes: Manchester United need to entertain more

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Paul Scholes thinks Manchester United fans haven't been entertained this season

Paul Scholes says Manchester United fans want to see more entertaining football under Louis van Gaal.

United could yet enjoy a successful end to the season by qualifying for the Champions League and winning the FA Cup, but some feel Van Gaal's tenure at Old Trafford has been defined by the prosaic nature of the football in comparison to that played under Sir Alex Ferguson. 

They have scored just 44 goals in 36 league games this season, the same as Bournemouth and 26 fewer than top scorers Manchester City, who occupy the final Champions League spot in fourth.

Juan Mata celebrates what proved the matchwinner for Manchester United at Norwich
Image: Juan Mata's winner against Norwich has given United hope of a top-four finish

United can leapfrog their rivals with a win at West Ham on Tuesday night, but former midfielder Scholes says fans will demand more entertainment next season, whoever is in charge.

"I think there's a lot of talent in the squad, it's probably just the way they've been playing that hasn't been entertaining enough," he told Sky Sports News HQ

Live Ford Football Special

"There are players in the squad who have been at other clubs and have played different ways and can entertain. 

"There's a lot of talent, there are lads who have been there a year now like Memphis and Schneiderlin and hopefully we'll be better next year. 

Also See:

"I don't think there's major surgery needed, I think we need a striker and a centre-half and maybe a little bit of creativity in midfield and if we can find that and maybe a different style of playing football, I think United fans will be happy.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - JUNE 21:    Fussball: Euro 2004 in Portugal, Vorrunde / Gruppe B / Spiel 20, Lissabon;
Image: Scholes says there is plenty of talent in the Manchester United squad

"I think they'd be happy with this season to be honest, if it was just a little bit more entertaining. Okay you don't want to be finishing fourth, you want to be fighting for the league, but that's just where we're at at the minute, fighting for Champions League, for fourth spot and in with a chance of winning the FA Cup. Hopefully next year will be different."

Scholes was speaking at an event to promote the TeamEllis football festival, an initiative to raise funds for Ellis Robinson, 17, who suffered a spinal injury while playing football earlier this year.

Around Sky