Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Roy Keane both pointed the blame at Scott McTominay and Fred for the desperate opening day defeat to Brighton.
There may have been a new man in the dugout, but it was more of the same from the Red Devils, with the Seagulls winning at Old Trafford for the first ever time. Erik ten Hag has arrived at United with the promise of ruthless overhauls and exciting football - but after being unable to land his top targets, there was a familiar look to his first starting XI.
Ten Hag has identified the centre of midfield as an area United must upgrade, having already lost Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Nemanja Matic. But with their pursuit of Frenkie de Jong in dire straits, the maligned duo of McTominay and Fred were selected.
The partnership - affectionately or not - known as ‘McFred’ was a common sight under Ten Hag’s predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick. And after failing to ever convince under those coaches, it was a case of history repeating itself against the Seagulls.
Along with Bruno Fernandes, the three United midfielders managed to lose the ball on 25 occasions in the first half. With McTominay fortunate to not see red in the opening 45 and Fred quickly withdrawn after the break.
“It was a shocking start for Man United and the first half was shambolic really,” Scholes told Premier League productions. “The signs were there right from the first few minutes that this was going to be bad.”
And Scholes pulled no punches when asked where he saw the main issues, pointing to the midfield duo and sarcastically suggesting picking either was one too many.
He added: “McTominay was always trying to run with the ball, ridiculous. The quality in the middle of the pitch was really poor. I was happy he didn’t get sent off [for a high challenge] but I think he was slightly lucky. Again, he’s running with the ball, absolutely ridiculous.
“It could easily have been a red card. The quality in the middle of the pitch was nowhere near good enough but we’ve seen that for the last few years with these two players.
“With Fred and McTominay, he [Ten Hag] is going to have to go with just one of them but even one of them is probably too many.
“Fred gives the ball away all the time and McTominay is trying to run with the ball constantly and then gives it away. Pass it to your best players! It’s not that difficult. It’s criminal on a day like today.”
Scholes’ old midfield partner and general, Roy Keane, was similarly scathing in his post-match assessment of the pair, claiming United will not be able to compete with them in place.
“The decision making and the football intelligence, in particular from Fred - and I’ve said it for a long time - Fred and McTominay are not good enough,” Keane said on Sky Sports’ coverage of the game.
“They won’t get Man United back competing at the top, we see it week in week out…not up to it. They had to gamble in the second half and Eriksen is probably in his position when he drops back and he’s picking up people but too little too late.”
