Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand React to Manchester United's Champions League Exit

A line of former Manchester United players have directed criticism at Louis van Gaal's current side following Tuesday's UEFA Champions League exit, with Rio Ferdinand describing their departure as "embarrassing."

A 3-2 defeat away to Wolfsburg meant the Red Devils finished two points behind runners-up PSV in a group Paul Scholes termed "shocking" when speaking on BT Sport (h/t Daily Mail's Sunni Upal):

"

It doesn’t feel like a disaster for me because I’m not surprised. It’s a team that has been poor in almost every game in the Champions League, and it’s in a group that’s shocking really. 

You see these two teams (PSV and Wolfsburg) – will either of these get to the quarter-final? I wouldn’t have thought so. I think whichever teams these two get, they’ll get knocked out in the next round. 

United look like an average team and with an average team, you get average performances.

You’d have to say they haven’t bought as well as they could have done. 

I think goals is the biggest problem. When you’re relying on a 20-year-old (Anthony Martial) to be scoring your goals, it’s just not right.

There should be a proven goalscorer there and as we have seen at the start of the season, proven ones have left the club. That’s where they’ve failed.

"

The two-time Champions League winner made sure to acknowledge the list of injuries affecting selection as part of the reason Van Gaal's side fell short in their trip to Germany, but he was nonetheless cutthroat in his analysis.

And despite the experienced players in the team, Scholes highlighted that those young players who featured "did well," including goalscorer Martial and Jesse Lingard. Ferdinand isn't looking forward to watching his old club in Europe's secondary tournament, per BBC Sport:

"

It's embarrassing. I was in a squad that went into the [UEFA] Europa League and it's an embarrassment. 

You don't want to come out of your house, you don't want to walk around Manchester. 

People look at you and think 'you're not good enough', questioning you as an individual and as part of a team that didn't get through the group stages that you should have.

If you strip it back this squad needs a hard look. There is no pace or power. People are looking around at each other rather than saying I will drag you through.

"

It's but another testament to how the English powerhouse is struggling to hit the same heights witnessed during the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson, with the current squad seemingly a particular concern for ex-players.

Football broadcaster George Riley posted an image of Wednesday morning's headlines, with numerous national newspapers taking the line that Van Gaal's time at the club could be drawing to a close:

"

Loser Van Gaal. Embarrassing, amateurish, excruciating. Today's backpages #mufc #morningbytheway pic.twitter.com/A6PvIvCXxP

— George Riley (@georgeyboy) December 9, 2015"

Former striker Michael Owen concentrated his comments upon the decision to let certain players leave, per BBC Sport. He said: "This is a worse squad now. The players Louis van Gaal has let go would beat tonight's team."

The BBC's John Bennett attested to Van Gaal's attempts to deflect attention away from him and his side following Tuesday's defeat but surmised the blame must rest with the losing team:

It was a familiar case of chances gone astray, too, as Manchester United dominated the shot count 16 to 10 at the Volkswagen Arena, per WhoScored.com, but allowed the game to pass them by without their trademark threat on goal.

In that sense, Scholes is justified in criticising the reliance on 20-year-old Martial as the leading frontman during Wayne Rooney's absence. While Wolfsburg centre-back Naldo finished the match with two goals to his name, Martial failed to pose a regular threat on the opposition's goal, per Squawka Dave:

Scholes and Ferdinand each grew accustomed to a far different approach during their times at Old Trafford. Both will have had stale performances here and there, but United's style under Van Gaal is encountering widespread scrutiny.

According to Liam Canning of the Telegraph, Van Gaal has hit his limit at Old Trafford, and the club may need to examine other options if they're to evolve:

"

I’ve had time to settle down and I still stand by what I said. MUFC need to part ways with LvG next summer. Don’t think he can do much more.

— Liam (@OffsideLiam) December 8, 2015"

The five 0-0 draws United already have to their name this season go against the brand Ferguson spent so long building during his 27-year reign. Now concerns range from the incumbent manager to his recruitment strategy and the players currently making up the squad.

Another spell in the Europa League won't go down well with supporters, and although Van Gaal's contract isn't due to expire until 2017, it's up for debate as to whether the Dutchman will remain in the position that long.