Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has named the starting line-up Jose Mourinho should rely on to revive his flagging fortunes at Old Trafford.

Scholes has become an outspoken media pundit since he hung up his boots and now he has told BT Sport who should be starting for Mourinho as they look to get their season back on track after a difficult few weeks.

Mourinho has been accused of failing to find his best starting eleven ten Premier League games into his reign as the club’s manager, yet Scholes had a pretty clear idea of who he should be picking:

“Chris Smalling and (Eric) Bailly obviously,” stated Scholes, as he named his first choice centre-backs to play in front of keeper David De Gea.

“Luke Shaw when he’s fully fit - he’ll get in the team. Antonio (Valencia) has been a revelation [in a full-back role].”

Scholes went on to name Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Paul Pogba in the United midfield and he suggested the exiled Bastian Schweinsteiger should be considered for a recall.

“Schweinsteiger must have something to offer the team,” said Scholes. “He’s got, what? 130 caps for Germany? That’s great experience to have around.”

Scholes concluded by picking Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in his team, as he suggested one of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or skipper Wayne Rooney would miss out in the solitary lead striker’s role.

“I’d have Martial and Rashford - the pace. You have to play those two and then it’s Ibrahimovic or Rooney,” he added.

Mourinho will not get a chance to pick that team for his side’s Premier League game at Swansea on Sunday, with Bailly and Valencia among those on the sidelines with injury.

Meanwhile, the are reports that teenage forward Rashord will not play in the club’s final game before the international break as he has not travelled to Wales with the United squad.

Here is Scholes’ United dream team, with Juan Mata among the high profile name who does not make his list:

David De Gea

Luke Shaw

Eric Bailly

Chris Smalling

Antonio Valencia

Paul Pogba

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Ander Herrera

Anthony Martial

Marcus Rasford

Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Wayne Rooney

Online Editors