Man United star is branded ‘CRIMINAL’ by Paul Scholes as Rasmus Hojlund loses his cool at team-mate during Real Sociedad Europa League clash

Paul Scholes branded a Manchester United star ‘criminal’ following his failure to play through Rasmus Hojlund in the Red Devils’ clash with Real Sociedad.

United were looking to push their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League as the Europa League knockout stages started on Thursday as they took on the LaLiga side in the first leg of their last-16 clash.

Ruben Amorim‘s side are among the favourites to win the competition, but must turn their season around somewhat if they are to life the trophy towards the end of the campaign.

Struggling for goals, the first half against Sociedad was tough for the away side, though they did have chances to open the scoring, perhaps none more so than when Diogo Dalot found himself in space on the right.

With the chance to cross, forward Hojlund was approaching the penalty area with speed and had lost his marker. He called for a cross, but Dalot instead decided to cut inside when a simple ball across goal would likely have resulted in a tap in.

The chance went begging, and Hojlund ended up showing his frustrations with Dalot as the two endured a brief look of annoyance, and Scholes, speaking at as a pundit on TNT Sports, didn’t mince his words.

Rasmus Hojlund lost his cool with Dalot after the wing back opted against playing him through

Scholes said that ‘any right back in the world’ should have seen the pass that Dalot missed

‘It has been comfortable for united, an easy half of football,’ Scholes said at the interval. ‘They should be ahead, Dalot should have squared it to Hojlund. They have dangerous players but haven’t been a threat.

‘The frustrating thing is we watched them practice that. For Dalot not to see it is criminal. He has made a good run, you are a right back, for any right back in world football to not see that is criminal. 

Karen Carney, meanwhile, added: ‘He has right to be frustrated. When wing backs get in positions like Dalot did he has to pass it, it is a tap in. He doesn’t and it is a missed opportunity and he has every right to dig Dalot out, he has had a lot of criticism.

Robbie Savage, meanwhile, called it ‘unacceptable’ on commentary.

Hojlund had not scored a goal in 18 matches going into the game, representing a goal drought that had mirrored his team’s poor form.

The Danish forward joined United for £72million in the summer of 2023, but it was Joshua Zirkzee who scored United’s goal to open the scoring against Sociedad.

Still, with limited numbers, Hojlund is persisted with, though Scholes suggested 17-year-old Chido Obi, who was not included in the Europa League squad but has enjoyed recent minutes, should have been playing in the first-teamer’s place.

‘It is not just scoring goals, he has not been getting chances either,’ Scholes said. ‘Obi has got chances, is it the service? I am starting to think it is his movement as he is not getting the chances.

17-year-old United forward Chido Obi has enjoyed first team minutes but was not included in the Europa League squad

Hojlund, meanwhile, had not scored in 18 going into the game and there have been calls for Obi to feature in his place

‘He is not scoring goals but he needs help. I think he runs too much. Sometimes you have to do that but, with time on the ball (in midfield), I am saying stay up front and in the middle. I don’t think he is great at linking play, use what you have got.

‘Play him (Obi). I think he would have played tonight if he was in the squad. He has impressed and Hojlund has been struggling but he is ready and if I am scoring every week for reserves and the first teamer is ready, I expect a chance and he will be a bit disappointed.’

Carney added: ‘It is tough – his confidence has been shattered. He looks and feels like it, but in this competition he has come alive.

‘It may be opposition of him feeling comfortable but you are hoping he kicks off his campaign in this competition again with goals. It is not like he hasn’t tried, but it is sometimes overtrying.’