Paul Scholes ‘sick of Jose Mourinho’s moaning’ but calls for Manchester United manager to be given time

Former United midfielder expressed his surprise that Mourinho wasn’t axed after last week’s defeat by West Ham, but appears to have climbed down from his previous view point

Paul Scholes believes Manchester United should stand by Jose Mourinho, though says he is "sick" of hearing the Portuguese "moaning".

Scholes made the fiercest criticism of Mourinho's reign by a former United player yet, prior to Tuesday night's goalless Champions League draw with Valencia.

The former midfielder claimed Mourinho was "embarrassing" the club and expressed surprise that he had not been sacked following last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to West Ham.

Scholes appeared to climb down from that position on Friday and echoed his fellow Class of '92 graduate Ryan Giggs, calling for Mourinho to be given more time.

The 43-year-old nevertheless said he is "sick" of the United manager's "moaning", accused him of not knowing his best team, and called for him focus on the talent at his disposal.

Asked whether he thought United should stick with Mourinho, Scholes told BBC Five Live: "Yes I do. The only thing I didn't like was that I'm sick of him moaning about what he hasn't got when I think he really should be concentrating on what he has got. I think he's got real quality in the squad that are very low on confidence.

"Jose over the years has been a brilliant coach. His record suggests that, he's been one of the very best. Now, I'd like to see him stay, take this biggest challenge of his career and show us what a good coach he is."

Scholes added: “It’s all about giving the lads confidence I think. When they’re constantly hearing that they’re not good enough – not that they’re not good enough – or that they’re not performing, you think of players like Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford – it’s about giving them a run of games.

Mourinho has been facing growing criticism of his methods at Old Trafford (Getty)

"Unfortunately because the form’s not great, he’s chopping and changing, he has no idea what his best team is, he has no idea what his best system is, and this is after over two years."

Scholes admitted that Tuesday's display against Valencia was an improvement on the defeat at West Ham.

Paul Scholes has hit out at Jose Mourinho for his constant 'moaning' (Reuters) (REUTERS)

"The game on Saturday [at West Ham] was one where after the Pogba stuff in the week you questioned their work ethic," he said.

"It's something that, not just Man United, but any team in the world should never be questioned on. I think Tuesday was a little bit different in that way. I thought they tried, they worked a bit harder, just lacked the real quality to win the game."