Old boys put the boot in after exit

MANCHESTER United were labelled “average” and “an embarrassment” following their premature exit from the Champions League last night.

United were eliminated from Europe’s top club competition, slipping instead into the Europa League, following a 3–2 defeat to Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena last night.

Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes didn’t hold back their criticism of Louis van Gaal’s team: “United just look like an average team, really, and with an average team you get average performances,” said former United midfielder Scholes.

Rio Ferdinand was equally cutting: ‘It’s embarrassing,” the former United captain said. “I was in a squad that went into the Europa League (in 2011) and it’s an embarrassment.”

A patched–up United team, which ended the game with Nick Powell, Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick–Jackson on the pitch, went ahead through Anthony Martial’s 10th–minute goal, but Wolfsburg were soon level thanks to Naldo’s first–time volley.

Julian Draxler’s delicious dribbling and craftsmanship then opened up the United defence, allowing Vierinha to tap in and make it 2–1.

United had a goal disallowed for offside before the break, but Josuha Guilavogui deflected Marouane Fellaini’s header into his own goal to level the scores.

Just two minutes later, Naldo sealed the win for Wolfsburg from close range.

Van Gaal retains the support of the board, but fan unrest will undoubtedly increase.

The Dutchman insists he is taking United in the right direction.