Paul Scholes has theory about why Ten Hag played same Man Utd XI against Real Betis that were thumped by Liverpool
PAUL SCHOLES reckons there was method in Erik ten Hag’s madness to stick with his 11 Manchester United flops.
The Red Devils boss named the exact same starting XI that were battered 7-0 by Liverpool for tonight’s Europa League clash with Real Betis.
Many expected the Dutchman to ring the changes to punish his underperforming men and give others the chance to shine in their place.
However, Scholes believes he knows why Ten Hag opted against dropping anyone.
The ex-United midfielder told BT Sport: “I’m slightly surprised. They have played a lot of games but they owe him after what was a shambles of a second half at Liverpool.
“Ten Hag has sent the same team out to test a few characters.
“To see, going forward, can these players play for me in big games when it really matters?”
Owen Hargreaves added: “I think he’s telling them to go and fix it after the mess at Anfield.”
Ten Hag confirmed that was indeed his thinking behind his selections, naming an unchanged United side for the first time in Europe this season.
He said: “We want to win and we think this is the best team to make a good performance.
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“Of course, they get the opportunity for rehabilitation, this is the most important game now.
“On Sunday we got hammered, we have to get back to our standards.”
But fans on social media were divided by the response from the manager.
One said: “Naming an unchanged side after this weekend’s battering will either make Ten Hag look like a genius or a complete idiot.”
Another wrote: “Seems Ten Hag is getting that same XI from Sunday to go out and make up for their mess-ups. Let’s win this and get back up, boys!”
But a third added: “Some changes were needed. Aaron Wan-Bissaka for Diogo Dalot and maybe Jadon Sancho or Facundo Pellistri for Antony.”
And a final user joked the final score would be 7-0 to Real Betis.
However, the Red Devils came out fired up in the Manchester snow and made a lightning start to immediately ease the pressure.
Marcus Rashford beat a defender and blasted into the back of the net with just six minutes on the clock against the LaLiga side.
However, Ayoze Perez – on loan from Leicester – fired in a classy equaliser on 32 minutes.