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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Paul Scholes' 'really worrying' Man Utd vs Liverpool first half prediction was bang on

Manchester United were humiliated by rivals Liverpool in the opening 45 minutes of their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

The visitors 4-0 half-time lead shocked many Red Devils fans but iconic player Paul Scholes wasn't surprised after making a prediction four days earlier.

Scholes warned United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his team recovered from two goals down to beat Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday.

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The former player said: "I get the United excitement, but that first half put me off the second half and if United were playing a better team, they'd be out of sight.

"They played an Atalanta team who had five players missing and a defender who went off at half-time.

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Paul Scholes is worried about Manchester United's form (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

"I get the excitement, but there was something about that first half that was worrying. It lacked unity and that was a worrying sign.

"Can they play against Liverpool like that? Never in a million years. It's a great night... but the first half was a real worry for me."

And Scholes' fears came true at Old Trafford on Sunday as goals from Naby Keita, Diogo Jota and a brace from Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 4-0 lead.

Scholes added: "You celebrate every win, but the first half really worried me.

"People are going to say I'm miserable and I'll maybe be slagged off by some United fans, but I looked at that game thinking about the Liverpool game.

"That first half United had two midfielders playing on their own and if they do that against Liverpool and [Manchester] City they'll be four down by half-time.

"Yeah it's great seeing the excitement and attacking. It's brilliant, but that first half has stuck with me. They've come back with great spirit, but they conceded so many chances.

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"If you're playing against quality players, there's no way you can win that game. People get carried away, but will he [Solskjaer] play that way on Sunday?

"Go and do that on Sunday and see what happens. Jurgen Klopp will be rubbing his hands together.

"From a neutral point of view it was great, goals everywhere, excitement - but United can't play like that. I'm being more realistic as to what's to come."

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