Manchester United legend Paul Scholes weighed in on Tottenham Hotspur’s James Maddison after Spurs’ commanding 3-0 win over the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
While the result was a strong one for Tottenham, Scholes raised concerns about some aspects of their performance, particularly highlighting moments where Maddison could have been more precise.
Spurs started the match on the front foot, with Brennan Johnson scoring early after a brilliant run and cross from Micky van de Ven. The momentum shifted further in the visitors’ favour when United captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off late in the first half following a reckless challenge on Maddison.
With a numerical advantage, Tottenham pressed forward, and goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke in the secod half sealed the win for Spurs.
However, Scholes felt that Spurs became “sloppy” after Fernandes’ dismissal, suggesting they lost some sharpness and could have been punished by a full-strength Manchester United team.
He singled out Maddison, in particular, was guilty of giving the ball away at times, which could have been costly. Speaking on Premier League Productions, Scholes commented:
“I actually felt Tottenham got a little bit sloppy against ten men.”
“He (Fernandes) talked about how they might have turned it around with 11 men. I think with 11 men, it could have been three or four before he got sent off.
“I think him getting sent off might have done them a favour because, it’s 11-v-11, I don’t think Tottenham would have stopped. I think they got a little sloppy, at times, in the second half.
“Maddison, at times, giving the ball away.”
Despite Scholes’ harsh criticism, Maddison’s overall performance was solid. The midfielder completed 47 out of 53 passes, boasting an impressive 89% accuracy. His involvement in the attacking play was significant, making eight passes into the final third and recording five touches inside the opposition’s penalty area during his 77 minutes on the field.
As Maddison continues to find his rhythm, his growing influence will be crucial for Tottenham.