Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Paul Scholes has said Louis van Gaal and Manchester United have made mistakes in the transfer market, allowing too many strikers to leave and with it creating an unbalanced squad.
The former midfielder made his comments in the aftermath of Manchester United's Champions League defeat to PSV Eindhoven .
The Red Devils lost 2-1, despite having 17 shots compared to six for the winning team.
"The one thing I think the United squad is now is it's short of goals. Short of real, top quality centre-forwards who guarantee you goals," Scholes said on BT Sport.
"Van Gaal spoke last year about his squad being unbalanced and I think it's even more unbalanced now without top strikers."
Show all 22 1 /22PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings PSG: Zoet 8 The goalkeeper was forced to make several stops throughout the game, particularly in the first half, but dealt with all of his tests with confidence.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Arias 4 The right-back struggled with Memphis’ pace down the flank and he was beaten by his former teammate several times. Received a yellow card for his foul on Young.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Bruma 7 Made some good clearances to get rid of Mata and Young’s efforts, but could not stop Memphis in his tracks in the build-up to the opener.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Moreno 5 The central defender made the horrific sliding tackle on Shaw that ended his game but worked well with Bruma in central defence.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Brenet 6 Set up Narsingh for a good early chance and helped deal with the threat of Young.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Propper 7 Worked hard in his defensive midfield position to deal with United’s attacks with ease.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Hendrix 6 Worked hard in his defensive midfield position to deal with United’s attacks with ease.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Guardrado 7 Was involved in the build-up to Narsingh’s goal and regularly combined with his teammates when PSV went on the attack. Limped off with an injury with 20 minutes to go but enjoyed a good game.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Narsingh 8 Was flagged offside several times in the first half, but remained a threat for the home side on the right flank and eventually got his goal with a lovely header past De Gea.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings De Jong 5 Was quiet throughout the match, and didn’t really have any clear-cut chances - working more to help Lestienne and Narsingh go for goal than himself.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Lestienne 8 Got the assist for Narsingh’s goal after beating Darmian and firing a superb cross to the winger. Had earlier tried his luck at scoring in the first half but drove his effort into the side netting. Although he didn’t get on the score-sheet, the winger put in a fine showing.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Man Utd: De Gea 6/10 Conceded two goals but was let down by his defence and could not do too much to keep Blind’s header and Narsingh’s strike out.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Darmian 4 Was beaten numerous times by Lestienne on the right flank, and was involved in a defensive mix-up with Smalling that gave away the corner kick that PSV equalised from – with the right-back being out-jumped by Moreno.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Smalling 6 Suffered one moment of miscommunication with Darmian which led to him having to head the ball out for a corner, which PSV scored from. The defender tested Zoet with a powerful strike in first half, though.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Blind 6 Was unfortunate to deflect Moreno’s header into the back of his own net, but did provide the ball that Memphis scored from. Started in central defence but shifted to left-back following Rojo’s introduction.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Shaw 6 In his 15-minute appearance, the left-back made a superb run forwards in attack but was at the end of a horrific challenge by Moreno that cut his game short.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Schweinsteiger 4 Slotted into central defence once Shaw came off and made a sloppy pass that allowed PSV to go on the attack from in the first half. He then couldn’t get his head to Lestienne’s cross that Narsingh scored the winner from.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Herrera 5 Went for goal in the second half but endured a quiet game and was hauled off with 15 minutes to go.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Young 5 Was often guilty of sending in several crosses into the area that failed to find anyone. His pace caused Brenet problems but, with no end product, Young was taken off towards the end of the second half for Antonio Valencia.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Mata 6 Provided some accurate balls to Memphis in the first period, but should have done better after being set up with a lovely ball by Schweinsteiger but failed to sort out his feet before Zoet collected the ball.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Depay 8 Scored the opener against his former side in the 40th minute and should have made it 2-0 but drove wide. The winger was a big threat for the visitors and his runs caused Arias many problems.
PSV 2 Manchester United 1 player ratings Martial 7 Looked bright and dangerous up front but didn’t always get the service he needed.
Manchester United opted not to sign Radamel Falcao permanently, let Robin van Persie leave for Fenerbahce, Javier Hernandez go to Bayer Leverkusen and Adnan Januzaj go out on loan to Borussia Dortmund. The only arrival in attack has been 19-year-old Anthony Martial who made his first start for the club during last night's game.
"They've let three or four strikers go," Scholes continued. "Now, I think if we had kept one of them, kept a Van Persie or Hernandez then it looks quite strong. They can score goals, Van Persie and Hernandez can score goals. Martial could be a real threat coming off the bench.
"I just think that's a mistake."
Despite his concerns over the balance of United's squad, Scholes added: "Apart from that I was encouraged by tonight."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies