Paul Scholes column: My views on Erling Haaland’s penalty incident, Jack Grealish future & UEFA Europa League final prediction
By Paul Scholes
Updated 20/05/2025 at 16:18 GMT+1
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In his fourth exclusive column for TNT Sports, Manchester United legend Paul Scholes gives his views on Erling Haaland's decision not to take a penalty in Manchester City's defeat in the FA Cup final. He also explains why Jack Grealish needs to find a new club and looks ahead to the key decisions that Ruben Amorim will need to make ahead of the all-English UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday.
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Former England and Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will be providing exclusive insight and analysis for TNT Sports for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. In this week's column, he revisits Erling Haaland's penalty decision in Manchester City's defeat in the FA Cup final. Scholes also discusses Jack Grealish's future and breaks down Manchester United's selection dilemmas ahead of the UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Wednesday.
My thoughts on Haaland penalty incident
I was amazed that Haaland didn't take Manchester City's penalty in the FA Cup final, as he handed the ball over to Marmoush. I couldn’t believe it. It’s a ridiculous decision. I know that Pep hasn’t said too much about the incident but, I’m pretty sure he won’t be happy with that situation. I know if it was Sir Alex, he’d be going mad!
Haaland's record in finals isn’t good, but it is harsh for people to criticise him for his performances in crucial games. You’re not always going to score in big games. He said he hasn’t had his best season, but his numbers are still pretty good.
He's just coming back from injury, so he might not have felt too confident with the spot-kick, but I can guarantee that if that’s Ruud van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney or Cristiano Ronaldo, it doesn’t matter who is on the pitch, those players are taking that penalty.
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Grealish needs new club after FA Cup final snub
I think the fact that Grealish didn't come off the bench in the FA Cup final showed that it’s time for him to go. He needs to get away and re-energise his career. We all know what a good footballer he can be, but for the last couple of years, it’s been up and down. Why should he not consider going back to Aston Villa?
I’m not sure if he would suit their style of play under Emery right now, but I think there are plenty of clubs that would take him. Watching the young lad (Claudio Echeverri) coming on in the final ahead of him would’ve been a real kick in the teeth for Grealish, that would’ve hurt him. I think it’s best for both parties for him to leave the club.
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Jack Grealish was an unused substitute for Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
Image credit: Getty Images
No regrets for Man Utd over Henderson exit
Even though he put on a man of the match performance in the FA Cup final, I think Henderson was let go at the right time by Manchester United. I think he was given every chance at the club. I remember there was a spell where he had a great chance to take the No. 1 shirt, and he didn’t take it. He made three or four mistakes, which cost him in the end.
Right now, he’s at the right club for his ability and I don’t think he’s good enough for a club like United. He’s a good goalkeeper and the timing was right for him to leave Old Trafford and enjoy his football somewhere else.
In terms of Onana, there are times when he hasn't been great, but he has experience playing in finals and I thought he was very good for Inter Milan against Manchester City in the Champions League final a couple of years ago. If you ask me which goalkeeper I’d prefer to have in a final, I’d stick with Onana over Henderson at this point.
Amad and Garnacho must start Europa League final
I would try and start Amad and Garnacho in the final because they’re United’s two biggest goal threats, along with Bruno Fernandes. The best way might be to drop Fernandes back in the central midfield role alongside Casemiro, which has worked well in the past, especially in European games.
I think Amorim will start Hojlund in the final because he hasn’t been too bad in the Europa League. He’s looked like a real threat and scored some important goals, but in the Premier League, he’s been really poor.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
If Amorim wanted to change things up, he could play Bruno Fernandes as a false nine just like Ten Hag did in last season’s FA Cup final win over City. I know he’s tried Kobbie Mainoo in that position too, but I don’t think he’s suited to it and Fernandes is a bit more mobile.
With Fernandes playing as a false centre-forward, you could also start with Casemiro and Ugarte in central midfield. There are plenty of selection dilemmas for Amorim, but I just hope he gets it right. The problem is the manager doesn’t know what he’s going to get from most of his players on the day.
Prediction
When you look at the form of the two teams in the Premier League, they both make defensive mistakes and errors are more likely with the pressure on. However, there are players like Fernandes, Amad, Garnacho, Son, Solanke and Johnson who are capable of match-winning moments.
It is more likely that a mistake rather than a bit of quality will decide the game, but with these two teams, anything can happen.
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Ange Postecoglou and Ruben Amorim will meet for the third time this season in Bilbao.
Image credit: Getty Images
I think without Maddison and Kulusevski, Spurs are forced to be more defensive. Those two are the best players and make the team tick and play good football.
They both played a part and scored in Spurs’ three wins over United this season. They make a huge difference to this Spurs team and without them, they are massively weaker.
It’s so hard to call this game. I think with Spurs missing those two key players and United having more experience in finals and winning trophies, I just favour United to get over the line.
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