The United manager strengthened his midfield armoury in the summer, signing Mason Mount in a 60million deal from Chelsea and Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina. The plan was for Mount to take Christian Eriksen&aposs spot in United&aposs strongest starting line-up and operate as a free-roaming No.8.
However, the England international has struggled for opportunities so far this term, starting just four Premier League games. It was expected that he would be part of United&aposs strongest midfield alongside Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes.
However, injury issues, both in midfield and elsewhere, have derailed Ten Hag&aposs hopes of implementing a consistent system. Nevertheless, Scholes believes the United boss is failing to deploy the midfield system he wants to because he may be spooked by what happened against both Manchester City and Liverpool last season.
“It is difficult to see the style of play that they really want to do,” Scholes told Premier League Productions, trying to make sense of United&aposs style of play ahead of Saturday&aposs tussle with Luton Town. “They brought the goalkeeper [Andre Onana] in because they wanted to start playing it out from the back and unfortunately the two centre halves are not comfortable doing that.
“They aren&apost great with the ball at their feet, and I don&apost think both full-backs are either. I think they have to become a counter-attacking team because of the lack of pace they have got at the back.
“I think they have to sit deep, especially the other night when they started with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans; they&aposre never going to out-pace anyone and will get done in behind.
“The pace they have got up front is electric. They scored a couple of counter-attacking goals the other night with Hojlund. Marcus Rashford was on the right-hand side and Alejandro Garnacho [on the left], who still has a bit to do to get into the starting XI.
“He has been great off the bench, he looks a real threat. He was a little bit better the other night, actually, from the start. I think there is still time for him.
“I think he [Ten Hag] is struggling to get the balance right in midfield. I think, ideally, he would like to play just one holder and the rest attacking.
