Paul Scholes baffled by situation around forgotten Man Utd player under Erik ten Hag, he made his stance clear

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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes was completely dumbfounded over the bizarre situation surrounding one of Erik ten Hag’s players at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag signed off Manchester United’s pre-season tour on Sunday after a 3-0 defeat to Premier League rivals Liverpool in the United States.

The 54-year-old Dutchman signed a new contract extension this summer after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos completed its end-of-season review at the club.

Ten Hag endured an up-and-down Premier League season at Old Trafford in the 2023-24 campaign, with United finishing eighth in the league table.

The former Ajax boss ended last season on a high note after United produced a stunning performance to beat Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.

Ten Hag’s United side will now return to Wembley on Saturday for their Community Shield clash against Premier League champions Manchester City.

The Red Devils will then begin their 2024-25 Premier League season on 16th August when they host Fulham at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano says Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag thinks former Ajax star is ‘one of the best in the world in his role’

Scholes on forgotten Man Utd player

Paul Scholes admitted that he was perplexed by what has happened to Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia so far.

Tyrell Malacia arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 from Feyenoord and the 24-year-old Dutchman provided additional cover at left-back for Luke Shaw.

However, the United full-back missed the entirety of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign due to injury, with Erik ten Hag left short of left-back options last season.

Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes asked: “What has happened to him? Do we know?

“Does anyone know what’s wrong with him? He must be out for 14 months now. Is it Christmas again?”

Sergio Reguilon arrived at Old Trafford from Tottenham on deadline day in 2023 before the 27-year-old Spanish left-back was sent back to Spurs in January.

Ten Hag struggled with the lack of left-back options last season after Luke Shaw missed the second half of United’s campaign due to injury.

Scholes insisted that Malacia acts as “more of a replacement” for Shaw when he is injured rather than someone who would challenge him at left-back.

“I don’t think he will be a challenge and more of a replacement if Luke Shaw is injured, isn’t he?” Scholes continued.

“There’s not many better than Luke Shaw when he’s fit.”

READ MORE: Anders Lindegaard claims ‘top’ Man Utd player under Erik ten Hag is ‘huge plus’ for club, he could impact ‘any team’

Ten Hag talks Man Utd player Malacia

United youth academy player Harry Amass impressed for the Red Devils at left-back during the pre-season tour under Ten Hag this summer.

Harry Amass could be called up to the United first team for the upcoming season to play second fiddle to England star Luke Shaw.

Ten Hag admitted that Malacia is likely to miss the start of next season, but he added that the United defender is now in a “progress situation.”

“Tyrell is now in a good place,” he told the press last week, as per Manchester United’s official website.

“But he is not here because I only took players who could play games or be available for team training.

“He is not that far [off], but he is now in a progress situation. At a relatively short notice, he can again return into team training and then into team performance in games.

“I think it would be possible [to be available again] in two months.”