Manchester United lost to Fenerbahce in the Europa League tie at Istanbul yesterday and former Manchester United player Paul Scholes believes that it will take another 18 months at least for Jose Mourinho to build a team that is able to play fluently.
Furthermore, Scholes feels that any improvement in performance and the club winning a domestic trophy this season should be considered as a bonus.
Also Read: Twitter reacts to Manchester United's 2-1 loss to Fenerbahce
However, he has backed the manager Mourinho to fix the team’s present issues over the period of the next few transfer windows which would leave the team unrecognisable.
Painful three years as a United supporter, says Scholes
"It's been quite a painful three years," Scholes said on BT Sport. "And I think the next 18 months to two years could be very similar until this manager has three or four transfer windows to really get a team that he wants.
"I think this team in two years will be unrecognisable from what it is now. But, whatever we can do in this two years has to be a bonus. Whether they can win the League Cup whether they can win the FA Cup.
Scholes lays blame on woeful defending and lack of goals
It was a dismal performance from the travelling English giants as they lost 2-1 to Fenerbahce. Scholes highlighted the defensive errors and lack of goals as the pressing issues. According to him, these are pre-requisites for the club to win a European competition such as the Europa League.
"United have two big problems at the minute," he added. "They don't sense danger, they've got no pace, they don't get physical against people. And it's a worry because at the other end they really don't look like scoring goals.
"Can they win this competition [the Europa League]? It doesn't look like it. And it has shown in the last three years that they are not capable of winning the league with this squad.
Also Read: Europa League 2016-17: Fenerbahce SK 2 - 1 Manchester United - 5 Talking Points
Can only challenge for the top four, says Scholes
In his pragmatic response, Scholes rejected the notion that United are title favourites. Besides, he believes there are a handful of other teams who are about United as favourites for the title. When asked if they could challenge for the top four, Scholes said: "Just about, yeah. I think they're challenging for fourth.
"We know this team at this moment in time isn't capable of challenging for the league. At this time now you have to say that Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, [Manchester] City definitely look better teams. I know things can change during the season, you have to hope that it does for them to have a hope of finishing top four.”
Manchester United travel to Wales to face Swansea City in their Premier League fixture on Sunday.
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