While Manchester United fans will probably consider Champions League qualification as an acceptable result from their most recent season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is probably dwelling on a series of 'what ifs?'
After all, United did reach three semi-finals this season, only to be beaten in all of them.
In the immediate aftermath of their Europa League defeat to Sevilla, Paul Scholes said that Solskjaer needs to replace Victor Lindelof with a “dominant centre-half” who can partner Harry Maguire.
After United took an early lead in Cologne thanks to another Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, the Spanish side drew level through ex-Liverpool man Suso.
However, Luuk de Jong came off the bench to secure another Europa League final for the La Liga side.
While analysing the second Sevilla goal, Scholes thinks that Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka needed to do much better for De Jong’s winner. In fact, the Manchester United icon believes that another centre-back needs to arrive at Old Trafford this summer.
“As much as United deserved to win, there’s no doubt about that, they were the better team, you have to say the second goal, the defensive part of that was shocking,” Scholes told BT Sport.
“Lindelof and Maguire, both out past the near post, there’s one centre-forward, Lindelof has to see him. Then Wan-Bissaka has to cover for him if he doesn’t think he sees him. Surely Lindelof as a centre-half, he’s got his centre-forward, he’s got to be looking at him, his body angle’s all wrong. If they avoid that I think they will go on and score a goal because Sevilla looks knackered.
“They didn’t look like they were going to create a chance other than that one. There’s a lot wrong with the goal. You can almost blame the whole back four for this goal. Williams doesn’t get to the ball, where Maguire is, I don’t know. But for me Lindelof is the biggest problem.”
Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho appears to be the main target for Solskjaer this summer, but when asked about United's transfer plans, Scholes added: “I think they could do with a centre-half, I’ve said that all along. I’m not sure Lindelof is going to be good enough as a partner for Maguire. I think they need a more dominant defender next to him.
"Lindelof’s alright, their defensive record over the last 15-20 games has been very good, but a dominant centre-half next to Maguire, just to cover his slight weaknesses.”
