Live Television Blunder: Apology by Paul Scholes for Embarrassing Athletic Bilbao Misstatement
A hilarious gaffe from Paul Scholes during his pre-match analysis for Manchester United's faceoff against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final second leg.
Speaking before their Old Trafford encounter, Scholes was asked about Athletic Club's hopes for a comeback, given their dismal away form and key player injuries. The Spanish side had lost the first leg 3-0 and hadn't won in ten of their last away games.
Unable to find a glimmer of hope, Scholes succinctly answered "No" to TNT Sports.
However, the United legend soon expanded on his thoughts. Although he initially claimed that Athletic would have "half a chance" with their leading goalscorer, star defender, and superstar winger, he quickly backpedaled mentioning he must have missed something as one player, Alex Berenguer, had registered five goals and nine assists across all competitions.
Ooops!
The United legend, however, hit the nail on the head when he pointed out that Athletic's front three, who had yet to score or assist in the match, couldn't be relied upon for goals. He suggested that United would run riot over the struck-with-injuries Spanish side.
Jules Breach, the host on TNT, had to promptly correct Scholes on his overgeneralization about Athletic's attacking players.
Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Scholes graciously acknowledged his mistake and moved on, noting that other Athletic attackers like Unai Gomez, January arrival Maroan Sannadi, and Alvaro Djalo were also capable of making an impact.
While Scholes may have flubbed some stats, he correctly predicted Athletic's inability to mount a comeback. Mikel Jauregizar scored for the visitors in the 31st minute, but this proved to be a mere consolation as United responded with four unanswered goals to secure a 7-1 aggregate victory.
United will now face Tottenham in the Europa League final following their 2-0 win against Bodo/Glimt to secure a 5-1 aggregate win. It's a Battle of Britain that's sure to delight football fans everywhere!
- Paul Scholes, during his analysis for Manchester United's Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, initially expressed a lack of hope for Athletic Club's comeback, given their poor away form and key player injuries.
- Speaking on TNT Sports, Scholes briefly answered "No" to Athletic's chances of a comeback, but later admitted he may have missed something, as he hadn't accounted for Alex Berenguer's impressive performance across all competitions.
- Despite his initial claim that Athletic's front three couldn't be relied upon for goals, Scholes later acknowledged the potential of other attackers like Unai Gomez, Maroan Sannadi, and Alvaro Djalo to make an impact.
- Though Scholes may have flubbed some stats, his prediction that Athletic wouldn't mount a comeback proved to be accurate, as Athletic could only manage a 31st-minute goal by Mikel Jauregizar, with United responding with four unanswered goals to secure a 7-1 aggregate victory.
- Manchester United will now face Tottenham in the Europa League final, a clash known as the Battle of Britain, following their 2-0 win against Bodo/Glimt to secure a 5-1 aggregate win.
- This final matchup is sure to delight football fans everywhere, particularly those following the NHL, Premier League, European leagues, or any other sports leagues.
