LONDON: Paul Scholes launched an extraordinary attack on Jose Mourinho on Tuesday night, stating he was surprised the Manchester United manager has not been sacked yet and accusing him of 'embarrassing' the club.
Mourinho is battling to save his job after United's worst start to a season in 29 years, having publicly criticised his players and the United hierarchy.
United recorded a fourth successive winless game and another dire performance in Tuesday’s 0-0 Champions League draw with Valencia.
Former Old Trafford midfielder Scholes believes Mourinho should have been axed after the defeat to West Ham last weekend, saying: “I am sat here actually surprised he survived after Saturday, the performance was that bad.
“He's constantly having a go at players. He's having a go at those above him because he's not getting what he wants. I think his mouth is probably out of control and I think he's embarrassing the club.”
Scholes's former United teammate Rio Ferdinand also told BT Sport that Mourinho should take the ultimate responsibility for United's problems.
“There's not a work ethic,” said Ferdinand. “The attitude doesn't seem right. No one's said about not going out there to win – people want to win football matches.
“If you could win it easily you would. Football's not easy, you have to work hard. That's a basic trait of any footballer or any team to be successful they have to have.
“This team doesn't have that, and where does that come from? That comes from and is driven by one person at the top, the manager. It falls at his feet.”
Following the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, Mourinho alluded to the capabilities of his players in defence, saying United “don't have the technical quality to build from the back.”
But Ferdinand and Scholes questioned the reasoning behind Mourinho's words.
Scholes said: “When has one of his teams ever tried to play out from the back anyway?
“They've always been defensively very good and not really been a total football team that like to play out from the back. It won't give the lads confidence will it? Especially the two centre halves.”
Ferdinand added: “I wouldn't want to be one of the central defenders in that team if he's talking about me like that.”
Mourinho repeated his call for the players to give him more effort in the match programme, writing: “The crest on the chest is more important than the name on the back of the shirt.”
Speaking before the game, he added: “From the supporters I cannot ask for any more. I cannot ask for more than they are giving at home. Away with bad results, I cannot ask for more.
“I think it's time for the people on the pitch to show them that they love the club as much as the fans.”
However, the Portuguese coach insisted that he did not need any reassurances form United chief Ed Woodward over his future.
“I don't need a nice SMS,” he said. “I don't need a tap on my shoulder and I have my contract until the June of 2020.
“I think the responsibility of the good and the bad moments have to be shared by many and I don't need a word of support or a hug. I don't need anything.”