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Manchester United icon Paul Scholes doesn’t want to see the club drop into the Europa League if they fail to progress from Group A in the Champions League. The Red Devils must beat group winners Bayern Munich at Old Trafford tonight for any chance of progression.
Erik ten Hag’s side have endured a tumultuous Champions League campaign, scoring 12 goals and leading in four of their five games, yet winning just once.
It has left them rock-bottom of Group A heading into the final matchday with an almost impossible task of reaching the last 16.
United must defeat Bayern – unbeaten in 39 Champions League group games – and hope that Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw at Parken.
They finish third and enter the Europa League knockout play-offs if they beat Bayern and there’s a winner in the other game or if they draw at Old Trafford and Galatasaray beat Copenhagen.
But Scholes would rather drop out of Europe entirely than enter the Europa League, pinpointing the shock 3-2 home defeat to Galatasaray as the killer blow to United’s Champions League hopes.
“The damage is done. They’ve been in good positions. To lose against Galatasaray at home was a disgrace, really. They’ve probably got what they deserved,” Scholes told TNT Sports.
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He added: “Manchester United shouldn’t be associated with the Europa League. But there will be some big clubs in it in the new year if United go into it. There’s Liverpool and similar teams.
“The only reason big clubs are in it is if they’ve failed this season or failed last season. I think it might be best if they have one game a week, try and prepare his team and try to find a culture that works for the football club.”
Ten Hag hasn’t had much time to focus on the training pitch since becoming United manager, overseeing three-game weeks galore due to the 2022 World Cup and because his side went deep in every competition last term.
The Dutchman desperately needs time to drill down his philosophy with his players at Carrington amid a disappointing season in which fans could count convincing victories on one hand.
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Injuries have played a significant role, and Scholes is convinced the approaching returns of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen can help Ten Hag salvage something from the campaign.
“I can’t remember one good result this season. The wins were against teams you’d expect to beat. It’s not those games that define Man United players, it’s big games,” Scholes bemoaned.
“I think when Christian Eriksen and Casemiro return [from injury], that’ll make them a lot more relaxed. It’ll add a lot more experience and quality.
“I’m hoping when those two come back, things will improve for ten Hag, but in terms of challenging for big trophies, I don’t think this squad is good enough.”
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