Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has launched a stinging criticism of Erik ten Hag’s side following their 1-0 defeat away to Newcastle.

Scholes was hugely disappointed with United’s display as they slumped to a defeat at St James’ Park, with Anthony Gordon scoring the only goal of the game for the home side. 

Ten Hag’s team have struggled for consistency all season and are currently in seventh place in the Premier League, with eight wins and six defeats in 14 games.

‘Rubbish. They’re a poor football team at this minute,’ he told Premier League Productions when asked for a verdict on his former side’s malaise.

Paul Scholes was heavily critical of Manchester United’s display in their loss to Newcastle

United legend Scholes branded the club’s players as ‘rubbish’ and ‘lazy’ after the defeat

Erik ten Hag saw his United side drop further points as their inconsistency continued

‘Those results they’ve had recently are misleading.

‘Too many lazy players on the football team – you can’t get away with that.

‘Going to these places, the first thing you do is work hard. You can see the joy that Newcastle are getting down both sides and feel sorry for the full backs.’

While he was critical of United as a whole, Scholes focused on two United stars in particular.

Marcus Rashford was excellent at times last season but hasn’t been at his best for much of this campaign.

The 26-year-old was angry at being substituted against Newcastle when he was replaced by Antony in the 61st minute.

Scholes stated that Rashford didn’t have anything to complain about with regards to being withdrawn. 

He said: ‘What is he surprised about? I don’t get it.

Scholes stated that Marcus Rashford couldn’t have any complaints about being substituted

According to Scholes, captain Bruno Fernandes is unbalancing the United team at present

‘What is he thinking he should still be on the pitch for? He was causing the team more harm than good.

‘Marcus last year was brilliant and he’s got ability, there is no doubt about that. But when you decide to walk back like was, and he comes off and behaves like that, I do not think it’s good for the team.

‘And he’s one of the most experienced players now. He’s a player that players look up to. Mainoo looks up to him. Garnacho looks up to him.’

Scholes also criticised Bruno Fernandes, saying that his lack of a set position is hindering the United team.

Scholes said: ‘Bruno is another one. Look, he’s got fantastic ability, he can score a goal and make a goal, but I would love to be in the dressing room before a game and see what the manager is asking him to do.

‘What position is he asking him to play? Where are you supposed to be on the football pitch?

‘I see him as a No.10, it’s his best position as he can play a pass and he can get a goal.

‘Where was he tonight? He was never in that position. I see him on the left, the right, sometimes he is the deepest Manchester United player, getting the goal off the goalkeeper.

Ten Hag was angry with United forward Anthony Martial and criticised his lack of effort

TNT Sports pundit Jermaine Jenas suggested that there is some discontent in the United squad

‘I don’t think that is healthy for the team. It upsets the formation and it upsets the way of playing.’

United’s loss to Newcastle followed on from a 3-3 draw away to Galatasaray in the Champions League in which ten Hag’s team ended up drawing despite having a 3-1 lead.

The Red Devils are bottom of Champions League Group A and face a battle to progress to the knockout stages.

During the defeat to Newcastle, ten Hag was livid with Anthony Martial for failing to track back.

Adding credence to Scholes’ claims about the lack of effort from United players, Martial’s lack of closing down almost resulted in a goal for Miguel Almiron,

Martial argued with ten Hag, with the Frenchman later being substituted.

Jermaine Jenas suggested that some of United’s players aren’t happy with the positions they are playing in.

Speaking on TNT Sports, Jenas said: ‘I personally thought tonight there were signs that there were a couple of players in there for me that either wasn’t happy with the tactics that was put to them or wasn’t happy with their positions on the pitch.

‘The body language of a team tells you a lot at times and there were a few of them that were sending a message to the manager.

‘I thought today Marcus Rashford on that right hand side in particular, the way that he just walked around throwing his arms around was one for me that said “look, I don’t want to be playing on this right hand side”.

‘No tracking back, you had Martial getting ran by Fabian Schar from the centre half doing whatever he wants. There was too many of those moments that I looked at and I thought he (Ten Hag) seems to be such a disciplinarian off the pitch but I didn’t see the same level of respect from the players on the pitch today and that’s a big concern.’