Paul Scholes believes Jose Mourinho may need to drop Alexis Sanchez in order to make the most of the attacking talent within his Manchester United squad.

Sanchez failed to exert much influence in a red shirt once again as United were eliminated from the Champions League last-16 in a 2-1 defeat to Sevilla at Old Trafford.

The Chilean has struggled for consistency since arriving from Arsenal in January and laboured on Tuesday night after replacing Marcus Rashford on the left flank.

Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Show all 23 1 /23 Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Manchester United 1 Sevilla 2 How did we rate the players on a drab night at Old Trafford? Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings David de Gea: 7 out of 10 The hero of the first leg was again one of United's better performers, but should a keeper of his quality have done better with Sevilla's second? Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Antonio Valencia: 6 out of 10 Failed to offer any of his usual surging runs down the right. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Eric Bailly: 6 out of 10 Responsible for two excellent interceptions that denied Sevilla the lead long before it eventually came. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Chris Smalling: 6 out of 10 A steady presence for the most part but guilty of concentration lapses in both boxes. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Ashley Young: 6 out of 10 Similar to Valencia, he held firm at the back but did not contribute to United attacks. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Marouane Fellaini: 6 out of 10 Afforded his first start since November, the Belgian struggled to get going - yet still forced United's best effort before his removal on the hour. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Nemanja Matic: 6 out of 10 Left to cover an often open midfield, he struggled to make his usual impact. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Marcus Rashford: 6 out of 10 Unable to follow up his heroics from the weekend; he showed plenty of skill but his finishing was below par. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Jesse Lingard: 5 out of 10 Brought back into the side, he showed a few (far too few) nice touches and almost scored at the start of the second half. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Alexis Sanchez: 5 out of 10 His struggles continued on a night where he offered little to the United cause. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Romelu Lukaku: 6 out of 10 Worked hard but was given little in the way of service. His late goal barely papered over a poor team performance. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Sergio Rico: 7 out of 10 Showed strong hands and made smart saves. Deserved a clean sheet at the end of it. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Gabriel Mercado: 6 out of 10 The right-back competed well, often coming inside to double up on Sanchez. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Simon Kjaer: 7 out of 10 Returning after a back injury, the Danish defender held firm as United attempted to build pressure. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Clement Lenglet: 7 out of 10 The young French defender enjoyed the physical dual with Lukaku. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Sergio Escudero: 7 out of 10 Kept pace with Rashford when the United man attempted to trick his way forward. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Ever Banega: 8 out of 10 Survived an early booking to excel in the centre; demonstrated a great range of passing. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Steven N'Zonzi: 7 out of 10 The former Stoke and Blackburn midfielder was back bossing midfields in England. A strong presence in front of the Sevilla defence. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Pablo Sarabia: 7 out of 10 Found plenty of room throughout, most notably to provide a fine through ball for Ben Yedder's opener. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Franco Vazquez: 7 out of 10 Supported Muriel in attack, and showed willing to drop back to help his midfield when needed. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Joaquin Correa: 7 out of 10 Troubled United with his movement in the final third and laid on Sevilla's second. Getty Manchester United v Sevilla player ratings Luis Muriel: 6 out of 10 A decent outlet for counter attacks, he kept United busy before making way for Ben Yedder. Getty

Rashford, despite his match-winning performance on the left-hand side against Liverpool, was moved out to the right in order to accommodate Sanchez, but neither player appeared to benefit from the switch.

Mourinho admitted last week that United may only begin to see the best of Sanchez next season and Scholes believes the 29-year-old should be sacrificed if his performances are not up to standard.

“Rashford was frightening on that left side on Saturday, but he moved him to bring Sanchez into what he thinks is his best position,” the former United midfielder said.

“[Sanchez] gave the ball away so often and his manager has to see that in the 10 games he has played, he has not been good.”



Mourinho has Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial all vying for regular starting spots in attacking midfield positions as well as Sanchez and Rashford.

“He needs to choose his best front three and be brave enough to leave one out,” Scholes said. “At the moment, Sanchez is the one to leave out.”

Appearing as a pundit on BT Sport, Scholes also criticised United’s all-round performance, accusing Mourinho’s players of lacking desire and energy.

“It's difficult to describe how bad that was,” he said. “Lethargic, bad attitude… [Mourinho] said in his interview he was happy with their attitude, but he has to be protecting his players.

“The players have let him down tonight by being so mediocre against a poor team. You are going for a place in the Champions League quarter final and there was no desire, heavy legs.