Paul Scholes disagrees with Ruben Amorim that Joshua Zirkzee made the right choice in passing to Harry Maguire in Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool.
The match saw Cody Gakpo cancel out Lisandro Martinez’s opener before Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
United, however, showed great resolve to equalize through Amad Diallo. In the closing seconds, the game could have swung United’s way if Maguire had converted a golden opportunity, created by Zirkzee’s pass across goal.
Zirkzee found himself in a promising position to shoot but opted to square the ball to Maguire, whose effort sailed over the crossbar.
Amorim defended Zirkzee’s decision in his post-match comments, stating: “For me, I think it was the perfect decision because he can shoot, but he put the ball more in the centre.
“The ball was really slow for Harry to score, but sometimes you cannot do it. But Josh made a good decision in my opinion.”
However, Scholes felt Zirkzee should have gone for goal himself. Speaking to Premier League Productions, the former United midfielder said: “It could have been [a huge moment] for him.
“We were talking before about Diego Forlan. He was in a very similar position. Forlan couldn’t score a goal for United, and he scores there, and he’s a big hero forever.
“It was that end, that side of the pitch, and it’s the only thing he’s thought about—scoring the winning goal at Anfield.
"Zirkzee had a great chance to do it. He’ll probably look back and think, ‘Well, I probably made the wrong decision,’ but he’s a player lacking in confidence.”
Scholes highlighted Zirkzee’s recent struggles, referencing his early substitution against Newcastle. “He has been dragged off after half an hour, his chin is on the floor, and he comes on at Anfield in a really difficult place," he said.
“He gets in a really good position, great run, great ball into him, and you think, ‘Come on, this is it for you!’ and he didn’t quite take it.
“But I’m hoping that there are opportunities in the future where he will probably change his mind.”
On United’s overall display, Scholes was full of praise: “That was a proper performance today. To go to Anfield and go toe-to-toe with the best team…
“They beat Manchester City, who have been the best team for four or five years, but that performance was nothing like this. This was better.
“I know they didn’t win the game like they did at City, but I take more out of that performance than actually winning against the champions.”
Scholes urged Amorim to maintain consistency with his lineup and approach:**“I think, now, that’s the blueprint, that’s the way they go forward, that’s the standard.
“By now, the manager should know his players. He has chopped and changed so much, and this has to be [close to his strongest team].
“Who else can come into it? Luke Shaw, possibly if he’s fit. Leny Yoro at center-half, Alejandro Garnacho, possibly, but I don’t think he quite gets into it.
“If that starting XI is fit, then they have to play until players perform badly and don’t get into the team.
“That’s the standard that they’ve set, and they have to reach it in games to come. I can’t see any reason why they can’t do it.”
Scholes’ comments highlight the potential for United to build on their Anfield display as they aim for a stronger second half of the season.
