Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is not worried by criticism of his team’s style of play from former Old Trafford favourite Paul Scholes.
Ex-midfielder Scholes said United’s football was “miserable” and failing the club’s attacking traditions.
He wrote in the Independent: “At the moment I’m struggling to watch Van Gaal’s team with any great enjoyment.”
But Van Gaal replied: “I don’t worry about that. Paul Scholes is one of the fans and fans can criticise us.”
Scholes had also accused current United players for being too safe.
“To beat opposing teams you have to attack – and to attack you have to take risks,” wrote the former England international. “Too few of the players in the current team are prepared to take those risks.”
United sit third in the Premier League after Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford, a display which Van Gaal “didn’t like”.
The Dutchman had earlier defended his tactics after West Ham rival Sam Allardyce called his side “long-ball United”.
Former players, including Phil Neville, a team-mate of Scholes at United, and ex-Arsenal and West Ham striker John Hartson, have also criticised United’s displays as “really poor”, “predictable” and “lacking pace”.
Scholes, who made his United debut in 1994, playing 676 times and winning 11 Premier League titles, contrasted the team’s current style with the tactics adopted by his ex-boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Salford-born footballer added: “In the periods of my career when I stopped passing the ball forward, or when I stopped looking for the risky pass that might open up a defence, the consequences were the same. The manager stopped picking me.
“I got back into the team when I went back to doing it the way he wanted.
“United’s history was built on attacking football, which does not always mean that the team kept clean sheets or did not concede chances.
“Why do you think United have had some of the best goalkeepers in the world over the years? They needed them because the team committed so many players forward.”
West Ham boss Allardyce said he had never seen a United side “hoofing” the ball forward after the teams drew 1-1 at Upton Park last Sunday.
But Van Gaal disputed the assertion at a news conference on Monday and presented a dossier to back up his claims.
United play at Preston in the FA Cup on Monday with Van Gaal describing striker Robin van Persie as a doubt for the fifth-round tie with a knock.
Defender Phil Jones is unlikely to feature after picking up a knee injury during the win over Burnley, while midfielder Daley Blind is to be assessed after a head injury.
Statistical analysis given out by Manchester United at Monday’s news conference
Source: BBC