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Scholes 'expected progress' under big spender Van Gaal

Paul Scholes is concerned that Angel Di Maria does not appear to be enjoying life with Manchester Uinted © Getty Images

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Paul Scholes has criticised Manchester United by saying he has not seen enough signs of improvement under manager Louis van Gaal and accused them of taking too much comfort from defeat to Manchester City.

The former United midfielder, who made 718 appearances before retiring in 2013 and who was on interim manager Ryan Giggs' coaching staff at the end of last season, pointed out that Van Gaal has overseen a huge spending spree and taken fewer points than his sacked predecessor David Moyes managed at the start of his reign.

And while United were praised for their attempts to get a point in final stages of the Manchester derby, Scholes wrote bluntly in the Independent: "This is Manchester United. It is simply not good enough to play well for 20 minutes and lose."

The 39-year-old also pointed out that City should have had three penalties and United goalkeeper David de Gea made a series of vital saves.

He added: "It concerns me that expectation levels have slipped so far at my former club Manchester United that many supporters I know felt relieved at snatching a late draw with Chelsea and losing narrowly to Manchester City."

Van Gaal broke the British transfer record to bring in Angel Di Maria for £59.7 million as United spent more than any other Premier League club had done in history during one transfer window.

But they have only won three league games so far and Scholes said: "Louis van Gaal talks about progress. I expected United to have a better record by this stage of the season. Under David Moyes last season United had 17 points from their first 10 games. This time, having spent £150 million in the summer, they have 13 points from 10 games."

Scholes also accused former Holland manager Van Gaal of neglecting the defence in his spending spree.

Marcos Rojo was the only centre-back signed and now the Argentine is injured and Chris Smalling is suspended following his red card against City.

Scholes said: "The problem in defence should have been addressed in the summer. It was not as if Van Gaal was unaware that Phil Jones, Smalling and Jonny Evans were susceptible to injuries."

And he believes Di Maria is not enjoying life at Old Trafford as much as he did at his former club, Real Madrid.

He said: "I watched reruns of last season and Angel Di Maria smiling broadly as he celebrated goal after goal with Cristiano Ronaldo. He doesn't seem to be in the same happy mood at United. It feels downbeat among the team."

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