PAUL SCHOLES FEELS Liverpool are favourites to beat Manchester United in the Premier League and claims Jose Mourinho has not been ruthless enough early in his Old Trafford tenure.
The two fierce rivals clash at Anfield on Monday, with seventh-placed United three points and three places back from Liverpool after an inconsistent start to their campaign under the Portuguese.
The Reds meanwhile have impressed so far in what is Jurgen Klopp’s first full season in charge, prompting United great Scholes to grudgingly endorse the Red Devils’ arch-rivals.
“If you were betting, you would be betting on Liverpool,” he told BBC Sport.
United have spent big to re-sign Paul Pogba from Juventus, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic also arriving at Old Trafford.
But Scholes believes Mourinho is still searching for his preferred starting line-up.
“He was not ruthless enough in the off-season,” the former England international said.
“There is so much confusion about who should play.
“What I saw of Mourinho at Chelsea, he had 13 or 14 players who played every week. He never rested players, even in the League Cup or whatever competition he was in.
“With United it is still a settling-in period – it is going to take a bit of time for them to knit together and see what they are about.
“Is there an identity to the team yet? I don’t think there is.”
In contrast to Mourinho’s apparent uncertainty, Scholes heralded the unity of purpose seemingly evident at Liverpool.
“You can see Jurgen Klopp has stamped his way of playing football on the team,” he said.
“There is a definite way about them. You know how they are going to play. They are going to be quick, they are going to try to take the ball off you and try to score goals by flooding the box.
“I was worried about them defensively – but they have already played some of the big teams and they are a real threat.
“The form they are in, they look as good as any team in the league.”
Delighted for Carty!
Correct choice in James Ryan. 22years of age and any team in the world would have him starting. So important to us for the future. Congratulations to him.
@David: except saracens who would start itoje and kruis over James all day. Not saying James isn’t top notch but just sometimes the paddies can get carried away. E.g krus and itoje and alun W.J are all ahead of James atm. But he has time on his side!
@Kevin O’brien: you make no argument for what you say so it’s hard to disprove but there’s little evidence to suggest that on form you’re right
@Kevin O’brien: sweet Jesus. I guess this is based on a certain set of games where the first two named locks were victorious?. It’s easy to view all of the above as “ahead” of Ryan when you’re surrounded by massive men who punch holes for, and with you. Imagine what Ryan would have been like against those teams if he had a back row of Saracens and England’s ballast and quality supporting him. At 22 Ryan has a huge level of expectation upon him. AWJ is a legend and has a great all round game, but Itoje and Kruis don’t have Ryan’s skill (although I’d like to see more of it), They’re all great players and any one of them would be a great partner for Ryan on a Lions tour.
@Kevin O’brien: except Saracens didn’t even start Itoje at lock against Leinster.
@Kevin O’brien: nah. I stand by what I say. But hey have a knock you are entitled to your opinion too. All great players.
@Kevin O’brien: no they’d move one of them to 6. James Ryan would be an allblack if he was from there.
Best player in the country by far
Goat of the year
@JMG: Greatest of all time of the year? Or you think he is an actual farm animal?
Nice triggsy
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: finally a decent player from micheals