Champions League

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Champions League | Group Stage

Oct 3, 2023 at 8pm UK

Old Trafford

Man Utd
2 - 3
Galatasaray

Hojlund (17', 67')
Casemiro (34'), Dalot (38')
Casemiro (77')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Zaha (23'), Akturkoglu (71'), Icardi (81')
Torreira (31'), Buruk (38'), Boey (61'), Oliveira (85')

Paul Scholes slams "soft and weak" Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 04 October 2023

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes criticises Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof for their performances against Galatasaray.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has slammed Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof for their performances in Tuesday's 3-2 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League.

The centre-back duo were caught out for Galatasaray's third of the night, with Mauro Icardi being allowed to break into the home side's penalty box and lift the ball over the onrushing Andre Onana.

Scholes branded the pair's contribution "soft and weak", and he also admitted that he is concerned by Varane's form, claiming that the Frenchman looks "a little bit sluggish".

"United really had to win this, your first home Champions League game. This is a terrible result," Scholes told TNT Sports on Tuesday night.

"[Sofyan] Amrabat, look he's not a left-back but he gets done for the goal. It was so wide open.

Galatasaray's Davinson Sanchez and Sacha Boey celebrate after the match on October 3, 2023 © Reuters

"I'm not sure where Varane is going. Lindelof is lost in the middle of the pitch. So soft and weak. They were so open in that central defensive area, they gave chances away.

"I do worry about Varane a bit. I know he's been one of the very best defenders around, just like Rio [Ferdinand] was, in that same like at Real Madrid, but I just feel like his legs are looking a little bit sluggish. He's a bit unfit, and I'd be really worried about him."

Varane is a certain starter for Man United when fit, but Lindelof is only enjoying a run in the side due to Lisandro Martinez's absence.

Martinez will be out for the next two to three months, having undergone a second foot operation this year, but Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are also options in the middle of the defence.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund in action against Galatasaray on October 2, 2023 © Reuters

Scholes was full of praise for Rasmus Hojlund, though, with the Denmark international scoring twice during an excellent performance in the final this of the field.

"When United lose a game like this, you're normally really disappointed but I think I see enough in the team tonight which really excited me," the ex-midfielder added.

"Hojlund, especially, took his two goals brilliantly. I absolutely loved his second goal, in particular. He gave the centre-half no chance with a clean pair of heels.

"He also had another goal disallowed and I thought: 'Wow, there's a bit of [Ruud] van Nistelrooy in there.' He really excited me."

Hojlund has now scored three times in seven appearances for Man United since his arrival from Atalanta BC, while he has also had two goals disallowed.