Scholes ‘sorry season has to end’ for ‘trim’ winger set to replace Antony for Man Utd

Paul Scholes says the season is coming to an end at the wrong time for Jadon Sancho, who is “looking confident” ahead of a likely new role in the FA Cup final.

Sancho has struggled at United since his long-awaited £80m move from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, with Scholes among his chief critics.

After they were dumped out the Europa League by Sevilla, Scholes said: “You see Jadon Sancho in the first five minutes tonight, the ball bounced off him three times, terrible weight of pass too. I’m a big fan of the lad but you’ve got to liven up and be ready.”

But the England international’s form has improved of late and he , setting up Anthony Martial’s goal and creating numerous other chances besides.

The game saw Antony stretchered off after a challenge by Trevoh Chalobah, and the Brazilian now looks likely to miss the FA Cup final against Manchester City next weekend, a game he would have surely started.

But Antony’s injury provides an opportunity for Sancho, who would likely have missed out with Marcus Rashford returning on the left.

Sancho has rarely featured on the right for United, but Erik ten Hag may well opt to play the 23-year-old in that role, with scant options besides.

And Scholes told Premier League Productions that Sancho is worthy of a place in the cup final XI.

Asked if ten Hag had taken a risk playing Antony so close to the final, Scholes said: “You’ve got to play players and sometimes you just get a bit unlucky and he’s been unlucky tonight with Antony.

“But, he’s got some good players to come in. Rashford came off the bench tonight, I think Sancho is looking as good as he has looked all season.

“I’m a little bit sorry the season has got to end for him, he’s looking fit, he’s looking trim, he’s looking quick and he’s looking confident as well. So I think he could come into that final.”