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Paul Scholes forced to apologise on live TV over awkward Athletic Bilbao gaffe
Paul Scholes was left red-faced during his pre-match analysis of Athletic Bilbao ahead of their clash against Manchester United. Speaking ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg tie between the Red Devils tie at Old Trafford, Scholes was asked if the Spanish side had any hope of a comeback. Scholes could not see a way back for the Spanish side against the Red Devils Athletic Club lost the first leg 3-0 and have won just once in their last ten away fixtures. But if that hadn’t already painted a bleak picture, the visitors were without leading goalscorer Oihan Sancet, star defender Vivian, their assist leader Inaki Williams and superstar winger Nico Williams. It’s why Scholes didn’t feel the need to issue a lengthy response. “No,” Scholes told TNT Sports. Thankfully, the United legend did provide more of an insight into his thinking shortly after. But he then made one claim that he’d have to walk back immediately after. “It’s going to be really difficult,” Scholes said. “If they had their three best players, the lads that have scored most of the goals for them, then they might have had half a chance. “You never really know what Manchester United are going to give. “I think the front three of Bilbao tonight, they’ve not got a goal or assist between the three of them. I don’t see where the goals are coming from. TNT SportsScholes was in a cheeky mood with a prediction but was left red-faced shortly after[/caption] “This atmosphere looks good again like it was for the Lyon game. I said before, they could be nervous. “If they get a little bit nervous and they concede one, then it could be different. “But I expect United to go out and blast this team away tonight.” TNT host Jules Breach had to quickly correct Scholes on his claim regarding the lack of goals among Athletic’s front three and pointed out winger Alex Berenguer had registered five goals and nine assists across all competitions. Scholes responded: “Oh, sorry.” Berenguer wasn’t alone as one of Athletic’s attacking options who had registered a goal or an assist at some stage this season. TNT SportsScholes may have got his notes a little muddled up[/caption] Unai Gomez, who started as Athletic’s attacking midfielder against United, has two goals and three assists from 42 appearances. January arrival Maroan Sannadi has a goal and three assists to his name while Alvaro Djalo has a solitary goal this season. Regardless of Scholes getting his pre-match notes wrong, he was bang on about the Spanish side being unable to mount a comeback. Defensive midfielder Mikel Jauregizar gave the visitors a lifeline when he scored a stunning goal from distance in the 31st minute. But it ultimately proved to be a false dawn as United hit back with four unanswered goals to win 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate. The Red Devils will now face Tottenham in the Europa League final as Ange Postecoglou’s side picked up a 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in Norway to secure a 5-1 win on aggregate.
Paul Scholes was left red-faced during his pre-match analysis of Athletic Bilbao ahead of their clash against Manchester United.
Speaking ahead of the Europa League semi-final second leg tie between the Red Devils tie at Old Trafford, Scholes was asked if the Spanish side had any hope of a comeback.
Athletic Club lost the first leg 3-0 and have won just once in their last ten away fixtures.
But if that hadn’t already painted a bleak picture, the visitors were without leading goalscorer Oihan Sancet, star defender Vivian, their assist leader Inaki Williams and superstar winger Nico Williams.
It’s why Scholes didn’t feel the need to issue a lengthy response.
“No,” Scholes told TNT Sports.
Thankfully, the United legend did provide more of an insight into his thinking shortly after.
But he then made one claim that he’d have to walk back immediately after.
“It’s going to be really difficult,” Scholes said.
“If they had their three best players, the lads that have scored most of the goals for them, then they might have had half a chance.
“You never really know what Manchester United are going to give.
“I think the front three of Bilbao tonight, they’ve not got a goal or assist between the three of them. I don’t see where the goals are coming from.
“This atmosphere looks good again like it was for the Lyon game. I said before, they could be nervous.
“If they get a little bit nervous and they concede one, then it could be different.
“But I expect United to go out and blast this team away tonight.”
TNT host Jules Breach had to quickly correct Scholes on his claim regarding the lack of goals among Athletic’s front three and pointed out winger Alex Berenguer had registered five goals and nine assists across all competitions.
Scholes responded: “Oh, sorry.”
Berenguer wasn’t alone as one of Athletic’s attacking options who had registered a goal or an assist at some stage this season.
Unai Gomez, who started as Athletic’s attacking midfielder against United, has two goals and three assists from 42 appearances.
January arrival Maroan Sannadi has a goal and three assists to his name while Alvaro Djalo has a solitary goal this season.
Regardless of Scholes getting his pre-match notes wrong, he was bang on about the Spanish side being unable to mount a comeback.
Defensive midfielder Mikel Jauregizar gave the visitors a lifeline when he scored a stunning goal from distance in the 31st minute.
But it ultimately proved to be a false dawn as United hit back with four unanswered goals to win 4-1 on the night and 7-1 on aggregate.
The Red Devils will now face Tottenham in the Europa League final as Ange Postecoglou’s side picked up a 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt in Norway to secure a 5-1 win on aggregate.
