Paul Scholes blasts Man Utd star for ‘criminal’ mistake in Manchester derby defeat | Football

United took a shock lead just eight minutes into Sunday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium when Marcus Rashford lashed home a stunning effort from 30 yards out.

The hosts hit back through a screamer of their own with Phil Foden finding the same top corner to level the contest. With 10 minutes of the match remaining, Foden doubled his tally, playing a superb one-two with Julian Alvarez before slotting home with Erling Haaland wrapping up the 3-1 win in injury time.

Casemiro, who scored the late winner in United’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest midweek, turned in a solid display for much of the contest.  But the Brazil international was was unable to react quick enough for City’s second, failing to track Foden as he and Alvarez cut through.

United legend Scholes was not impressed with Casemiro’s efforts in that phase of play, expecting a player of his experience to cope much better.

‘Look at Casemiro during that one-two,’ Scholes told Premier League Productions.

‘In a defensive position, the holding midfield role, that is criminal. The gap shouldn’t be that far and Casemiro, with the experience he has got, should not be getting done with a one-two there.’

United sought to hold onto their one-goal lead away from home but City’s quality eventually broke them down.

Eight minutes of injury time were added on at the end of the 90 with the score still just 2-1 but Scholes admitted City were always more likely to add to their lead in that period than United were to equalise.

‘Once United went behind they didn’t really have the answers, they don’t have the quality of Manchester City, they can’t keep a spell of possession for three or four minutes,’ Scholes said.

‘They don’t have that quality and they were a bit recognisable at the end.

‘You are more hoping it’s not 4-1 or 5-1 rather than getting it back to 3-2. A draw to play that way looks acceptable but as soon as they go ahead, it looks awful.

‘You’re looking at United and they are behind, you have got to try put pressure on City, try get Rashford, [Alejandro] Garnacho down the side but they could never really get that spell of possession.

‘The midfield did okay defensively for a while but when you play against a team like City you don’t get a kick of the ball. It’s difficult to stamp your authority on a game.’

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