Paul Scholes has revealed a current Manchester United player wanted to confront him face-to-face over his comments made in the media.
The Red Devils legend has carved out a career as a pundit since hanging up his boots in 2013, regularly making his views known in his roles on The Overlap and as part of TNT Sports’ football coverage.
Credit: YouTube: @TheoverlapScholes revealed that some players take his comments to heart more than others[/caption]
And while Scholes has earned plenty of praise for saying it as it is, particular with regards to his former club, this has not gone down well with everyone.
The 50-year-old has revealed one of his assessments of a member of the United squad nearly resulted in a training ground confrontation.
Appearing on The Overlap’s Fan Debate, Scholes and fellow player-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher discussed receiving backlash for their comments in the media.
It was at this point that the legendary former midfielder opened up on a Red Devils star seeking him out in person following criticism.
He said: “Players can be a little bit touchy these days.
“I had a player this year, who contacted me and wasn’t happy with some of the things I’d said.
“He wanted to meet me at the training ground.”
Detailing his response, Scholes continued: “I said: ‘Of course, no problem,’ and gave him my number but he never got back to me.
“I would have done it. If I’m saying things I believe and he wants me to explain why, it wouldn’t have been a nice conversation.
“But I said if they or anyone else has a problem, there’s my phone number.”
GettyRuben Amorim has won 12 of his 30 games in charge of the Red Devils since taking charge last November[/caption]
The Englishman did not ultimately reveal which current Man United player sought to hash things out in person, in a season which has seen plenty of criticism levelled at their playing squad.
After the sacking of Erik ten Hag in October, the arrival of Ruben Amorim has failed to turn the tide significantly, with the English giants currently sitting 13th in the Premier League table.
But Scholes insisted players should take little notice of pundits’ comments, instead urging them to listen to those at the club.
The ex-England international went on: “What we say [as pundits] shouldn’t affect a player.
“The only people that should affect the players is what the manager thinks, the coaching staff, and their team-mates. Whatever is said on TV should be taken with a pinch of salt.
“I’m not even sure how many players these days watch football and watch what we’re saying.
“There was one United player who obviously took a bit of offence to what I said, but you just deal with it.
“If he thinks he needs an explanation or a meeting over a tea or coffee, I’d be happy to give it.”
Scholes hasn’t held back in his evaluations of United this term, expressing his doubts over summer signings Leny Yoro and Mathijs de Ligt, as well as claiming Lisandro Martinez would not be able to inspire Premier League success.
Despite this however, the Englishman admitted it is far from easy criticising his former club.
He said: “I only do punditry for Manchester United games now.
“I very rarely do other games because I want to watch United, and I want to be at the United games.
“Ever since I’ve started doing it, the performances have not been great.
“I don’t think I saw them win for a long time and you look terrible having a go at your club when that’s the club you played for, for 20 years – it’s the last thing you want.
“It’d be so easy if you were a Manchester City player for the last ten years. Where we are now, it makes you look like a bit of a villain.”
