Paul Scholes questions Manchester United players' effort

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has spoken of his frustration at the lacklustre end of season for the Reds - and what he thinks needs to happen next.

Former midfield maestro Scholes also gave his thoughts on whether West Ham midfielder Declan Rice should be one of the key signings this summer to change the fortunes of the team after the disappointing end of season.

Scholes, 47, was speaking as he launched a new £500,000 gym in his hometown of Oldham with his son Arron and daughter Alicia this week.

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He said: "I know Declan Rice has been mentioned a lot, they do need that type of character, the trouble is he's got three-and-a-half years left on his contract and to get a player like that you'd have to pay double the odds for the player. That's where Man United are at at the minute - they're going to have to take risks to get back where they want to."

Speaking about the appointment of new manager Erik ten Hag, Scholes said it will be key for him to win back the team spirit.

He said: "We don't know this manager too well, but he's got a great pedigree with working with Pep at Bayern Munich [as under-23 coach]. As long as he gets the players to believe in what he wants to do, I believe he can be a success."

But Scholes added that spending millions on new signings should not be the knee-jerk reaction to the current situation.

He said: "I think you hear every year people saying you need to spend £400-500m whatever it is to bring in new players. That has to stop eventually at some point.

"I think they've got a new manager who is a risk, but you bring in any manager and it's a risk. He's been at a top club in Holland but the size of Ajax compared