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Fans outraged as Paul Scholes claims Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was 'lucky' against Manchester United

Fans outraged as Paul Scholes claims Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was 'lucky' against Manchester United

Francis Uzoho made 12 saves against Manchester United but Paul Scholes wasn't impressed with his performance.

Paul Scholes has caused a stir after completely playing down the performance of Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper Francis Uzoho against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Uzoho, Omonia's second-choice goalkeeper, made a total of 11 saves in the Europa League clash.

He frustrated Marcus Rashford with another of stops, made two double saves and produced an incredible fingertip save for Casemiro's long-range piledriver that cannoned off the bar.

United eventually put one past Uzoho in the 93rd minute when Scott McTominay popped up with a last gasp-winner.

Uzoho, who is a huge United fan, received plenty of praise for his display and wholesome post-match interview with BT Sport.

But he will have been disappointed to hear that United legend Scholes, almost channelling his inner Roy Keane, wasn't impressed.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

"I actually do feel sorry for [Uzoho] a bit," Scholes said on BT Sport.

“Let's have it right, it was the right result. [United were] so dominant in both games really.

"Sloppiness in front of goal though, United have saved themselves some embarrassment there.

“The keeper didn't make any saves you wouldn't expect him to make. United's finishing wasn't quite there tonight.

“The goalkeeper was good. I don't think he made saves that were unbelievable. I think it was a mixture of poor finishing as well.

“He was lucky. He saved almost everything. He was great, don't get me wrong, but he saved everything he should have saved.

"That smile on his face, I think he's happy United won."


And Scholes received a fair amount of stick for the lack of praise:

Uzoho shared a lovely moment with Cristiano Ronaldo in the second half and was also branded "different class" by match-winner McTominay.

Opposite number David de Gea waxed lyrical about Uzoho, who played for Deportivo la Coruna in La Liga.

"I think he made eight or 10 great saves for his team in the game but in the end we scored a goal and for sure he made a great game," he told MUTV.

“I know he played in La Liga in Spain. He had an amazing game and congratulations for him.”

After four games, United are second in Group E after taking nine points from a possible twelve.

They need to beat both Sheriff and Real Sociedad in order to top the group and avoid those coming down from the Champions League in the Europa League knockout stages.

Image: Alamy
Image: Alamy

Despite competing well with United in both games, Omonia are still searching for their first point in the competition this season.

Featured Image Credit: Image: BT Sport & Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Europa League