Gary Neville says Paul Scholes has ‘snapped’ after dreadful Manchester United defeat, and Erik ten Hag told to promote youth with ‘no plan B’ to Frenkie de Jong who looks set for Barcelona stay

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has ‘snapped’ over the state of his old team’s midfield, and it appears there is no incoming solution to the problem at Old Trafford.

And that’s because talkSPORT has been told ‘there isn’t a plan B’ for Frenkie de Jong at the club, with new manager Erik ten Hag set to be left empty-handed.

United lost their Premier League opener 2-1 at home against Brighton, seeing Ten Hag’s first competitive match end in calamity after a difficult summer.

Much was expected after a promising pre-season, but Ten Hag has been left frustrated in the transfer market, only landing three new signings, with No.1 target De Jong still at Barcelona.

The Dutchman played under Ten Hag at Ajax and has been the centrepiece of an ongoing transfer saga, but any reunion now looks unlikely after Barca president Joan Laporta said ‘we want him to stay’.

Links to Juventus midfielder Adrian Rabiot have emerged after the loss to Brighton, but talkSPORT’s transfer insider Alex Crook says no previous planning had gone into midfield alternatives.

He explained: “I did get a message in the middle of the week from somebody connected at Old Trafford and they were suggesting to me that there isn’t really a plan B [to De Jong]. 

“I know we talked about [Youri] Tielemans and [Ruben] Neves as being long term targets but I’m not sure that either of those deals are really likely to happen between now and September 1.

“If De Jong doesn’t come, then the plan apparently is that Ten Hag will recruit from within – basically, either keep faith with Fred and [Scott] McTominay or try and find a youngster like James Garner to fill the void. 

“That isn’t going to cut the mustard,” added Crook.

“Garner might be a fantastic player but I don’t think he’s ready yet and if Manchester United are serious about competing at the top end of the table, I think they need four players in, not just De Jong.”

Fans at Old Trafford were left frustrated as the ‘McFred’ double act struggled to contain Pascal Gross, who scored twice inside 39 minutes to take the three points, with new signings Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia unable to make a difference.

But they weren’t the only ones annoyed, with club legend and former midfield superstar Scholes taking to Instagram to express his displeasure.

He wrote: “Thoughts for the week ‘MDF’ [midfield] it’s all about body shape when receiving the ball, too many times facing their own goal and can only play one way…

“Get on the ‘half turn’ for f*** sake and bring your more talented players into the game…

“Have a great week everyone.”

Former United teammate Gary Neville could only laugh at the comments, Tweeting: “And over on Instagram Scholesey has snapped.”

He wouldn’t have been the only one.

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has ‘snapped’ over the state of his old team’s midfield, and it appears there is no incoming solution to the problem at Old Trafford.

And that’s because talkSPORT has been told ‘there isn’t a plan B’ for Frenkie de Jong at the club, with new manager Erik ten Hag set to be left empty-handed.

United lost their Premier League opener 2-1 at home against Brighton, seeing Ten Hag’s first competitive match end in calamity after a difficult summer.

Much was expected after a promising pre-season, but Ten Hag has been left frustrated in the transfer market, only landing three new signings, with No.1 target De Jong still at Barcelona.

The Dutchman played under Ten Hag at Ajax and has been the centrepiece of an ongoing transfer saga, but any reunion now looks unlikely after Barca president Joan Laporta said ‘we want him to stay’.

Links to Juventus midfielder Adrian Rabiot have emerged after the loss to Brighton, but talkSPORT’s transfer insider Alex Crook says no previous planning had gone into midfield alternatives.

He explained: “I did get a message in the middle of the week from somebody connected at Old Trafford and they were suggesting to me that there isn’t really a plan B [to De Jong]. 

“I know we talked about [Youri] Tielemans and [Ruben] Neves as being long term targets but I’m not sure that either of those deals are really likely to happen between now and September 1.

“If De Jong doesn’t come, then the plan apparently is that Ten Hag will recruit from within – basically, either keep faith with Fred and [Scott] McTominay or try and find a youngster like James Garner to fill the void. 

“That isn’t going to cut the mustard,” added Crook.

“Garner might be a fantastic player but I don’t think he’s ready yet and if Manchester United are serious about competing at the top end of the table, I think they need four players in, not just De Jong.”

Fans at Old Trafford were left frustrated as the ‘McFred’ double act struggled to contain Pascal Gross, who scored twice inside 39 minutes to take the three points, with new signings Lisandro Martinez, Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia unable to make a difference.

But they weren’t the only ones annoyed, with club legend and former midfield superstar Scholes taking to Instagram to express his displeasure.

He wrote: “Thoughts for the week ‘MDF’ [midfield] it’s all about body shape when receiving the ball, too many times facing their own goal and can only play one way…

“Get on the ‘half turn’ for f*** sake and bring your more talented players into the game…

“Have a great week everyone.”

Former United teammate Gary Neville could only laugh at the comments, Tweeting: “And over on Instagram Scholesey has snapped.”

He wouldn’t have been the only one.