Leaving Ashley Cole at home was a MISTAKE claims Paul Scholes #TheElitePartyInJuly #Entertain9jar via @myentertain9jar

MANCHESTER UNITED great Paul Scholes has launched a thinly veiled attack at Roy Hodgson and claims the England manager blundered in leaving Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole at home.

 

Ashley Cole was overlooked for World Cup selection[GETTY]

Cole announced his retirement shortly after finding out he had been overlooked for Hodgson's World Cup squad.

England's defensive shortcomings were apparent during the defeats against Italy and Uruguay, and Scholes feels England missed Cole in Brazil.

"Not bringing Ashley Cole was probably a mistake – not so much for his attacking qualities – but more his defensive ones," Scholes wrote in his Paddy Power blog.

"I think Baines and the whole of the back four have been found out a bit. It’s been argued that John Terry could have steadied the ship and taken command – but he’s not getting any younger either.

Paul Scholes thinks Luke Shaw should have been given the chance to prove his worth [GETTY]

The sad thing is it may be too little too late now to make these changes

Paul Scholes

"Ideally what was needed was a young John Terry and a Rio Ferdinand in his prime to marshal the defence."

Scholes also thinks it was a shame Hodgson didn't throw Luke Shaw into the fray.

He added: "There’s also Luke Shaw. Let’s see how he handles the big occasion. 

"The sad thing is it may be too little too late now to make these changes."