Paul Scholes frustrated with ‘sulky’ Manchester United star | Football

Paul Scholes expressed his frustration at ‘sulky’ Alejandro Garnacho after Manchester United’s Europa League draw with Real Sociedad.

The last-16 tie is finely poised ahead of next week’s return leg at Old Trafford following a cagey 1-1 draw in Spain on Thursday night.

Joshua Zirkzee’s first European goal put Manchester United ahead on the hour mark but Real Sociedad levelled shortly after through Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty.

Scholes was satisfied but not blown away by his former club’s performance and expects Ruben Amorim’s side to progress on home soil next week.

The legendary midfielder was, however, frustrated at Garnacho’s performance and demeanour during the draw with Real Sociedad.

Garnacho set up Zirkzee’s opener but was subbed off with around 15 minutes remaining and appeared annoyed at Amorim’s decision as he made his way to the bench.

Ex-England star Karen Carney suggested Garnacho may have been playing through injury against Sociedad as she felt he was off the pace.

‘We’ve seen him live so many times but it didn’t look like he had that burst,’ she said on TNT Sports.

‘He had tape around the knee and we know he’s carried something before so I don’t want to be too critical.

‘He didn’t look himself tonight. Maybe he just had a poor game, who knows. But I didn’t see it with him physically tonight. Fatigue might have played a part.’

But Scholes dismissed the suggestion that Garnacho could be fatigued after a hectic period and believes he is ‘sulking’ on the pitch.

‘He looks like he’s sulking a bit,’ Scholes said. ‘I’m not having the fatigue thing.

‘I was a little disappointed with Garnacho because his biggest strength is running through. He gives you penetration. Sometimes he makes the wrong decisions or plays the wrong ball but he just lacked a bit of energy tonight.

‘Little bit of sulkiness, I think. I’m sure he will get better and he needs to get better because they haven’t really got anyone else to call upon.’

Garnacho was linked with a shock move to Chelsea during the January transfer window, with United said to be open to selling the 20-year-old Argentine.

Asked if he expects Manchester United to progress in the Europa League at the expense of Spanish side Real Sociedad, Scholes added: ‘You just don’t know what you are going to get from this team, but yeah.’

United return to Premier League action this weekend against second-placed Arsenal before their crucial European clash with Real Sociedad.

Tottenham, Athletic Bilbao, Lazio and Roma are among the other contenders hoping to lift the Europa League trophy come May 21.

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