Scholes sticks the boot in on van Gaal

Ex-Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticised Louis van Gaal’s tactics at Old Trafford by suggesting he would have disliked playing under his risk-free regime.

The Red Devils crashed out of the Capital One Cup on penalties to Middlesbrough on Wednesday after failing to score against the Championship side in 120 minutes, despite turning to Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial from the bench.

It was the second straight home game in which United had failed to find the net after Sunday’s stalemate with neighbours Manchester City. And statistics show van Gaal’s side have accrued fewer shots than the likes of Norwich, Watford, and Aston Villa in the Premier League this term.