Paul Scholes has criticised Manchester United's defensive style under Louis van Gaal.

In a withering assessment of the club's negative approach, the Old Trafford midfield legend declared that the Dutchman's XI is not a team he would have enjoyed playing for.

Scholes also leapt to the defence of former team-mate Wayne Rooney, currently on a poor run of form, stating that any centre forward during his time at United would struggle in this line-up.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has criticised the team's style under Louis van Gaal (right)

Scholes, a pundit for BT Sport, says he would not have enjoyed playing in this United team

United fired another blank on Wednesday as they were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Middlesbrough

The 40-year-old, who also took a pop at the nation's youth set-up, claiming it was 'riddled with foreign players', made the comments in an interview with BBC Radio Manchester.

Scholes admitted that under Van Gaal, who likes his sides to retain possession, United were 'brilliantly coached'.

'The style is not something that Sir Alex Ferguson would have adhered to,' he explained.

'I actually think the team is brilliantly coached to defend. I think the hardest thing to do is to coach scoring goals, creativity and to have players who are off the cuff.

'It's a team you wouldn't want to play against and its probably a team you wouldn't want to play in either.

'There's a lack of risk and creativity. It seems he doesn't want players to beat men and score goals - it's not a team I would have enjoyed playing in.'

United have now failed to score in two consecutive Old Trafford games after Sunday's 0-0 draw in the derby

Scholes played for Manchester United for 20 years, winning 11 Premier League titles under Sir Alex Ferguson

Scholes says the style of football under Van Gaal is not something Ferguson would adhere to

Rooney, who ended an 11-month spell without a Premier League goal away from Old Trafford earlier this month when he scored in a 3-0 win at Everton, drew a blank in Sunday's 0-0 draw with City.

But Scholes defended the England man, instead pointing the finger at Van Gaal's negative approach.

'I was at the Manchester derby and I watched him (Rooney) for the first 20 minutes,' he said.

'His movement was brilliant but when he's playing in that team there's nobody prepared to pass to him. You'd be tearing your hair out.

'Ruud van Nistelrooy, Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole couldn't play in this team. You don't get crosses in the box, midfielders looking for runs. I think its a very difficult team to be a centre forward in.'

Scholes has leapt to the defence of Wayne Rooney after criticism of the striker's goal record this season

Scholes (centre) watches Salford City playing against Stalybridge Celtic earlier this month

Scholes was speaking ahead of a two-part documentary on Salford City, the club he co-owns with fellow Class of '92 members Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Ryan Giggs.

The first part airs tonight on BBC 1 at 9pm.

He added that non-League Salford are committed to giving young English players a chance and took a pop at Premier League clubs for shipping in young talent from abroad.

'You look at Under 16s, Under 17s and it's absolutely riddled with foreign players,' he said.

'What chance does that give to young English players? It gives them virtually no chance.

'You look at Chelsea and Arsenal's youth teams and you do well to spot an English player. It's really sad. There are hardly any players to play for us.