Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes that midfield duo Andreas Pereira and Fred need to realise that Premier League games aren't going to be 'easy-oozy' in order to improve.
Midfield has been a troubled area for United this season as the failure to replace the departed Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera has been further compounded by injuries to Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay.
It resulted in the unfamiliar pairing of Pereira and Fred playing alongside each other when the Reds faced off against Sheffield United, with dire consequences.
The Blades dominated the game for the vast majority as they stormed in to a 2-0 lead before United mounted a fight-back to actually take the lead in a five minute flurry.
However, they couldn't hold on and would concede a last minute equaliser with the thrilling encounter ending three goals apiece.
Scholes was not impressed in the slightest by the duo's performance in the middle of the park and has explained what they must do to improve.
“He [ Ole Gunnar Solskjaer] got seven minutes of a reaction, that was it,” Scholes told Radio 5 Live .
“The first hour was probably as bad as you’ve seen.
“When you go to places like Sheffield United, anywhere away in the Premier League, you have to realise for 20-25 minutes it’s going to be a fight.
“You’re not just going to be left in possession with the ball. You’re going to be tackled, you’re going to expect challenges.
“I think as soon as Fred and Pereira realise that it’s not always going to be easy-oozy in a Premier League game away from home the better.
“If they ever get the chance to play again together they are going to have to improve massively.”
United will be aiming to return to winning ways when they take on Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Sunday.
