'It's a mess' - Paul Scholes outlines factor which could end Erik ten Hag's Man United era

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has slammed Erik ten Hag's recruitment policy at Old Trafford following a goalless draw with Aston Villa.

United produced a more balanced performance at Villa Park than they managed at Porto in midweek but on this occasion their attacking threat was blunt. Ten Hag chose to introduce Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans back to the starting XI with Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez dropping to the bench, the latter of whom was named man of the match.

Following the result, Scholes told Premier League Productions that United made themselves harder to beat which was a positive. But, their recruitment strategy under Ten Hag has been disappointing.

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"Look, [Rasmus] Hojlund does alright but is he gonna score you 20 goals? I don’t think so," he explained. "[Joshua] Zirkzee… what is he? Is he a No.9 or a No.10? Is he going to get you 20 goals? I don’t think so.

"I think they’re relying more on hope than actual proven quality and they spent so much money as well. It’s a ridiculous amount of money and some of them can’t get in the team!

"You think of [Manuel] Ugarte coming into the club who was supposed to change the way the midfield was… he didn’t play him. De Ligt, £50m and he didn’t play him, Jonny Evans has come in at 36 years old instead of him.

"[Lisandro] Martinez, Ten Hag brought him into the club. What’s he thinking today?

"Jonny Evans is playing, Maguire started, [Victor] Lindelof comes on before him. It’s just a recruitment mess really."

At the beginning of the week, MEN Sport reported that Ineos were not willing to sack Ten Hag until at least after the game against