Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes was not impressed with his side’s remarkable comeback victory in the Champions League against Atalanta, warning the Red Devils cannot afford a similar performance against their Premier League rivals.
For the second game in a row in Europe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men rallied from a losing position to take all three points late on, winning 3-2 having trailed 2-0 at half time.
Scholes though believes that there is much work to be done, particularly after their display during a tough opening 45 minutes.
“I get all the excitement but that first half I just didn’t enjoy it and I think that first half put me off the second,” the ex-England midfielder told BT Sport . “I think if they were playing a better team they’d be out of sight. That first half was worrying. It looked anything but a team, it lacked unity – that was a worrying sign.
“Can they play Liverpool like that? Never in a million years. Can you play Manchester City like that? Can you play a top Champions League team like that? I don’t want to sound like a party pooper but that first half was a major worry for me.”
Solskjaer defended his side’s display, while admitting he was angry at having conceded twice.
“I thought we played well first half too. Two chances, two goals. It has to stop if we are to survive,” he told BT Sport . “We have a habit of doing this at this club. I thought we played well and they scored a goal out of nothing and then another set-piece. But they never stopped believing and kept going.
“Don’t disrespect the players. They play for Manchester United and they know they are the luckiest men in the world. Tonight they are the luckiest men in the world because they get to play for Manchester United. That is what so many millions of boys and girls want to do.”
