Scholes accuses Man U of allowing Liverpool to 'take the mickey out of them'

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has slammed Louis Van Gaal's side for allowing Liverpool to take the mickey out of them during their 0-2 defeat in the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie at Anfield.

Forward Daniel Sturridge scored a superb penalty to put Liverpool in lead before midfielder Roberto Firmino doubled the score in the 73rd minute.

In contrast, Van Gaal's side failed to create a single chance and it was goalkeeper David de Gea's brilliance which had made magnificent saves.

Reflecting on the performance, the 41-year-old affirmed that the quality of the game was a shambles.

"It's just the quality. The lack of fight, I see Lallana after an hour studs rolling [over the ball], he's almost taking the mickey. Someone tackle him, smash him!," Scholes was quoted as saying by goal.com.

Criticizing the leadership of Louis Van Gaal, Scholes said that the United had gone away from the attacking way of football as they used to play three years ago.

"For 20 years, Manchester United had identity, you were going to play fast football, pass the ball forward, tackle, run. The last three years they've just gone away from that. Something that worked," he insisted.

With the defeat, Van Gaal's hopes of securing a Champions League place were seemed to be in vain as they had to score three goals in order to advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.

The two sides will now lock horns in the second leg of the last-16 on March 18.