Paul Scholes Slams Ashley Young Dive, Launches Fresh Criticism of Louis Van Gaal

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has slammed the club’s winger Ashley Young after his apparent dive against CSKA Moscow and has also had more harsh words for manager of Louis van Gaal.

Scholes hasn’t held back in his assessment of the Red Devils in recent weeks and was critical of the team again during his role as a pundit on BT Sport on Tuesday, as United claimed an unconvincing 1-0 win. Before going ahead, Young sought to earn his side a penalty by diverting his run towards a defender, forcing contact and going to ground.

After the match, Scholes encouraged the winger to stop going down so easily, but admitted he was unsure whether or not he will, per Rohan Banerjee of the MailOnline:

"

Ashley needs to stop doing this. He knows that himself, but it's just a habit and he can't get rid of it. It's so obvious and he just needs to get this out of his game. It is embarrassing and Ashley knows it.

He's a really good player and he doesn't need to resort to those tactics, but I just think it's ingrained in him.

"

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

In fairness to Young, there was contact in the box when Georgi Shchennikov came across to tackle him in the area. However, the nature of the fall coupled with Young’s reputation for hitting the deck easily meant that a penalty was never likely to be awarded for the infringement.

Here’s a look at the incident in question, courtesy of Soccerlens:

Things were getting a little desperate for the Red Devils at this point, which perhaps prompted Young to take a tumble. United had drawn their previous three matches 0-0 and with little sign of a goal coming against CSKA for long spells, the fans and players were clearly beginning to get frustrated as the game wore on.

The main source of the supporters’ ire was Wayne Rooney, as he missed a chance to put his team ahead in the second half. The captain atoned for his error with the winning goal in the 80th minute, but according to Scholes, it’s Van Gaal, not Rooney, who is to blame for the Red Devils’ dull attack, per Banerjee:

"

It's just a sideways, possession-based, boring style of football. Does he have a problem with forward players?

We talk about Rooney getting all the stick, but I don't think anybody would score goals in this team as a centre forward. I think Sergio Aguero would struggle.

Look at the players that he's let go: (Robin) Van Persie, (Danny) Welbeck, (Javier) Hernandez,(Adnan) Januzaj, (Angel) Di Maria. I'd love to see these players at the club now.

"

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

Scholes has been critical of the style in which United play under Van Gaal previously, telling BBC Sport he wouldn't enjoy featuring in the current setup.

In recent weeks, the Red Devils certainly haven’t been exciting to watch. Going forward the team has been one-dimensional, with the midfield packed with capable passers, but few players who are willing to break opposition lines and take chances in possession. Rooney, while his own form must improve, has been isolated as a result.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Van Gaal could certainly do more to endear himself to the supporters with some more free-flowing football, but as noted by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, his decisions helped the Red Devils over the line against CSKA:

There seems to be little excuse for Van Gaal to not send his team out with some more attacking freedom. The defensive side of the XI provides excellent assurance for the forward players, with David De Gea one of the finest goalkeepers in the world and Chris Smalling growing week after week. It’s a tactical shift that would certainly get the fans back onside.

For men like Scholes, it’ll be frustrating watching on after being part of a successful United side that played daring, enterprising football. Granted, Van Gaal is many shades removed from former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but a degree of attacking impetus is imperative for any elite side, never mind the Red Devils.