Paul Scholes praises Manchester United duo despite their mistakes

Manchester United's Europa League last-16 first leg clash with Real Sociedad ended in a 1-1 draw, but a number of Red Devils players left a lasting impression on former midfielder Paul Scholes.

Manchester United miss out on a win

Manchester United travelled to Anoeta to face Real Sociedad, where they opened their Europa League campaign. United youngster Joshua Zirkzee scored his first European goal to put the visitors ahead. However, Mikel Oyarzabal equalised for the hosts with a penalty, leaving the game 1-1.

Despite United having the majority of possession, they were unable to convert their chances into goals. The best chance of the first half came in the 37th minute when both Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes had their shots denied on the line. The second half was more open, but the two teams ultimately drew.

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

Paul Scholes praises Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes

After the match, Paul Scholes discussed the performances of the two players he felt stood out in the United squad: Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. During a live broadcast on TNT Sports, Scholes expressed confidence in his side's ability in the return leg at Old Trafford.

"When you go to Old Trafford, you need a bit of pace," Scholes stressed. "I didn't see enough of that from Sociedad to think they could come here and win."

Scholes also praised the contributions of Fernandes and Casemiro in controlling the game. He noted that Fernandes dropped deeper, linking well with Casemiro in central midfield. "They kept the ball quite well and I thought they were quite comfortable," Scholes added.

Analyzing Casemiro's performance, Scholes said the slow pace of the game played to his advantage. Casemiro, who had a successful spell at Real Madrid, showed his character and experience. He had a high success rate in his tackles and completed 31 passes in the match.

Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes had a match that Paul Scholes praised

Notably, Casemiro also made the most tackles on the pitch, showing his important role in maintaining stability for United's defence. However, Fernandes was unfortunate to make a mistake in the second half, leading to a penalty and having to pay the price for his mistake.

Although the draw did not give Manchester United a clear advantage over Real Sociedad, Scholes believes that the team can overcome the challenge in the second leg. The former player's confidence reflects his belief that United can improve their form and beat their opponents at home.

"I hope United play better at home next week," said Scholes. "They have the quality to beat Real Sociedad."

The 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad did not dampen Manchester United's spirits, especially after standout performances from Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. Former player Paul Scholes is not worried about the upcoming second leg and believes Erik ten Hag's side are capable of going further in the competition.