Paul Scholes criticises Bastian Schweinsteiger over Manchester United's 'negative passing'

Scholes believes Schweinsteiger holds United back with his uninspiring passing

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has trained his guns towards German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger in his latest criticism of United’s style of play reports Eurosport. The former Red Devils midfielder opined that Schweinsteiger ‘stunts’ United’s build-up play with too many sideways passes.

Scholes, who is now a television pundit, has become one of the most outspoken critics of Loius van Gaal ever since the latter took over as manager of the Old Trafford outfit. He has been highly vocal on his dislike of the tactics and ‘philosophy’ the Dutchman has been trying to imbibe in his side.

The former midfield maestro felt that the German should have been providing the attacking impetus for his side but instead has been too conservative with his passing and often holds the team back consequently slowing the tempo of their build-up play.

“You expect more from Schweinsteiger, a player who’s won the World Cup and the Champions League," Scholes said.

“The biggest art as a midfield player is to find space, not in your back four or left-back position, in the centre of the park where it’s most congested, and contribute to your forward players.

He added: “The two central midfielders play 10 yards behind the centre-halves and play easy passes.”

“I don’t mind that, getting a bit of space if you’re going to play it forward or hit a long pass, but he takes too many touches and he’s constantly coming back inside."

Rooney struggles due to midfield’s negativity: Scholes

Scholes believes that United’s problem of finding goals hard to come by has been a consequence of the laborious midfield and their inability to provide service to the attackers.

Wayne Rooney has been subject to a lot of criticism for his lack of goals and Scholes has defended his former teammate saying the striker has been left hanging by the side’s midfield.

“There are too many passes before getting into the final third, which is why the forwards like Wayne Rooney have struggled. They don’t get the service."

However, Scholes could not resist taking a swipe at his seemingly favourite target, Van Gaal as he signed off saying that the manager might have instructed the German to play in a negative mindset.

“Schweinsteiger claps a backpass to the goalkeeper and he plays every week, so the manager must be happy with the way they play," he noted.