In a Premier League universe full of recent derision for Manchester United under David Moyes, count former Red Devils midfielder Paul Scholes in the minority. On Marouane Fellaini and Arsenal? That’s another story
The United legend is known for his feisty play under Sir Alex Ferguson to the tune of 718 appearances across all competitions. And along with pleading for patience under Moyes, the “Ginger Prince” took some shots as he played the role of Sky Sports pundit during United’s 3-0 derby day defeat against Manchester City.
On Moyes...
“He’s only nine months into the job. You have to stand by him. OK, he’s made a couple of signings that haven’t quite worked out yet, as he would have liked.
“In the summer, he’s going to need backing - there’s no doubt about that. Was he backed as well as he could have been last summer? I’m not too sure. But this summer, he has to be backed - and I think he knows he needs players.”
On the time it’ll take to fix United...
“I think you have to talk transfer windows. Because with every transfer window, you’re not going to get the players you ideally want. You might have to wait six months or a year to get the ones you want. So for me this is not a quick fix here, and these supporters are going to have to accept that.”
On summer transfer Fellaini...
“He’s not been great, has he? You have to admit that. For a central midfielder at Manchester United for £27m, I’m expecting a few goals at least.
“He did have problems with his wrist and I know he missed a lot of games but, for the money they paid for him, I’d be expecting a lot more, to be honest with you.”
On Arsenal...
“It’s almost as if they say: ‘you four, five midfielders, go out there do what you want. Try and score a goal, a few little nice one-twos, a bit of tippy-tappy football. Don’t bother running back’.
“I know they are third or fourth in the league but they are a million miles away in my eyes. When we played Arsenal it was really tough. You play Arsenal now, you think just get stuck in and you’ve won the game. Jack Wilshere, he came on the scene and what a top player he looked, but he’s never really gone on. He needs people like Vieira to take him to the next level. His development, he doesn’t look any better now than he did at 17.”
It’s entertaining stuff from one of the league’s best, unafraid to get ‘stuck in’ off the Old Trafford pitch the same we he did on it.