Paul Scholes was critical of old team-mate yesterday.
The former Manchester United midfielder appeared as a pundit for ITV’s coverage of Ireland’s game against England, and was as unimpressed with the borefest as the rest of us. He also had some choice words for England defender Phil Jones.
Scholes said that his former team-mate is more suited to playing, as he did yesterday, at right back, and that he essentially lacks the game intelligence to play in central defence, as he does for United.
“I just think at centre half he is not quite clever enough to do it,” Scholes said. “When he is playing against clever forwards, he tends to get dragged out of position quite easily. At right back you still need to be clever positionally, but I think he can use his pace and power, and he hasn’t got a bad delivery either.”
When asked about Scholes’ comments following the game, Jones said he is “not bothered”. “People comment all the time about individuals,” the 23 year old said, (which is very true). “Gone are the days when I used to take notice of what people say and react to it. It doesn’t bother me one little bit any more.”
“I am at the stage now where I can’t be considered as a young player any more. I have got to step up, keep playing well and do what I do best.”
Good on you Phil, we can’t wait to see you back to your best. And although Scholes is a pretty good judge of these things, anyone who can defend like this is a genius in our eyes.
H/T The Independent.
