‘It’s derogatory’ – Man Utd icon Scholes looks sheepish when asked about Sir Alex Ferguson’s ‘It’s Tottenham’ speech
SHEEPISH Paul Scholes warned Manchester United not to underestimate Spurs as he branded Sir Alex Ferguson’s “It’s Tottenham” speech “derogatory.”
The Red Devils are hoping to get the better of their Premier League rivals in tonight’s Europa League final.
Both sides have struggled domestically, with United 16th in the table and Spurs 17th.
Victory will seal a place in next season’s Champions League, with the loser facing a long and unhappy summer.
Spurs are feeling confident after winning all three of their previous meetings this term.
While United have been clinging to hope thanks to a famous speech given by Sir Alex against Spurs in 2001.
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The Red Devils were three goals down at half-time but came back to win 5-3, with Fergie telling his players: “Lads, it’s Tottenham.”
But Scholes, who featured in that famous match, believes in hindsight that it was “derogatory” to dismiss Spurs that way.
And he certainly feels the same attitude cannot be held by United this evening.
Scholes told TNT Sports: “I think it’s a bit derogatory to speak about such a great football club like that.
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“We knew that most of the time we had the beating of Tottenham. We were always confident against them.
“I know there’s a lot said of, ‘It’s only Tottenham’ and that should be enough to win a game. But it isn’t. You’re playing against a very good team of footballers.
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“They’ve had the upper hand against United, we’ve lost the last three. It’s not quite ‘just Tottenham’ any more.”
Fans were quick to react, with one saying: “He doesn’t believe himself.”
Another declared: “Paul Scholes is pure class, a wizard of a player but so humble.
“Knows his stuff too, not airs and graces, never fake, one of the real ones.”