Alexis Sanchez had a frustrating afternoon at Wembley (Picture: Reuters)

Paul Scholes questioned Jose Mourinho’s decision to keep Alexis Sanchez on the pitch for the entirety of Manchester United’s FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.

Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game at Wembley, converting a spot-kick in the 22nd minute following Phil Jones’ clumsy challenge inside the box.

United had 66% of the possession but the likes of Sanchez, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard struggled to penetrate Chelsea’s rigid defence.

While Rashford and Lingard were substituted in the 73rd minute, though, Sanchez saw out the remainder of the match.


Speaking to BT Sport after United’s defeat, Scholes said: ‘Jose’s substitutes, he brought Rashford and Lingard off as they were starting to influence the game.



‘Jesse was getting in spaces, between the midfield and back four. Rashford then had a great chance, made a great run and all of a sudden they were taken off.

‘Sometimes those two local lads are the easy target, how Sanchez stayed on the pitch with them two creating problems as they were I have no idea.’

‘Sanchez, how many times he gave the ball away was scary really, and he’s a top class player, he’s not really done it for United yet.’

Rio Ferdinand believes Alexis Sanchez should have been replaced (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand also criticised Mourinho’s substitutions in the second-half of United’s defeat.

‘We (him and Scholes) looked at each other and thought “wow”, that’s a big call there because Sanchez wasn’t playing well or influencing the game.

‘Listen the manager is paid to make big decision, today in terms of substitutes, I don’t think he made the correct ones.’

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