Paul Scholes urges Man Utd to beat Arsenal and Tottenham to ‘top-class’ £100m star

Paul Scholes says central midfield remains a ‘big problem’ for Manchester United and the club should explore a transfer move for Sandro Tonali this summer.

United prioritised strengthening their misfiring attack last year, with Mateus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko all arriving through the doors for a combined fee of around £200million.

The Red Devils had also been heavily linked with a host of midfielders, including Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson, but Ruben Amorim was ultimately left empty-handed in this area of the pitch as the transfer deadline came and went.

It’s understood United have re-entered the transfer market with a view to filling the void left by Casemiro’s recent departure, but Old Trafford bosses have been forced to abandon their pursuit of Anderson – who has agreed a deal to join neighbours City.

Crystal Palace star Wharton remains a player of interest at the Theatre of Dreams, along with the likes of Alex Scott, Aurelien Tchouameni and Bruno Guimaraes.

But according to Scholes, arguably the greatest midfielder in United’s history, Guimaraes’ Newcastle team-mate Tonali may be the player best suited for his former club.

Widespread reports suggest the £100m-rated Italy international is also being pursued by the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Juventus ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

‘The centre of the pitch is a big problem for me. You don’t feel like something is happening either, there’s nothing, there are no rumours,’ Scholes told Sky Sports when asked about United’s potential summer business.

‘I’ve said it, I said it on the podcast [The Good, The Bad & The Football] six months ago, I love Tonali from Newcastle. I looks like a few clubs are in for him including Tottenham.

‘It doesn’t sound like we are in for him but I think that would be… he knows the Premier League, he’s been with Newcastle for two or three years, obviously he had a year where he couldn’t play, but I think he’s a top-class midfield player.’

Scholes believes United have no choice but to splash the cash in the summer transfer window if they are to enjoy a successful season next term.

‘Whether Manchester United want to do that [Tonali] deal for £90-100m, whatever it is, I don’t know,’ he continued.

‘But I think they’re going to have to do some business if they want to be successful next year.’

Turning his attentions to international matters, Scholes called on Thomas Tuchel to give Kobbie Mainoo an opportunity for England’s upcoming World Cup clash with DR Congo.

The United midfielder is yet to play a single minute at this summer’s tournament and Scholes feels he could be the man to help unlock the Three Lions’ attack in tomorrow’s round of 32 contest.

‘I think Anderson has probably got better legs than Kobbie but I think Kobbie is more talented in his brain and technically,’ Scholes – who represented England at two World Cups – explained.

‘But don’t get me wrong, Elliot Anderson is still very good technically.

‘Kobbie gets a bit of stick for his legs I suppose, not being able to get around the pitch, but I think his stats, I remember looking at it last year, he ran like 12km in a game. That’s good, that’s brilliant, and he’s got the talent to go with it.

‘He’s a person who will progress the game more through the thirds of the pitch. He will link the midfield to the forward players better than Elliot Anderson will, which is what we’re seeing now.

‘England are really struggling with Rice and Anderson to progress the ball through the pitch to these better players and I think Kobbie Mainoo will take the risk to do that.’

Scholes is looking forward to seeing Mainoo and Anderson battle it out for bragging rights next season if the latter completes a move to the blue half of Manchester, as is expected.

‘Goals-wise, they [Mainoo and Anderson] are probably similar,’ he said.

‘Can they get to ten goals maybe? I think Kobbie has probably got more of a chance of getting to 10-15 goals than Anderson.

‘But both in their own right are top-class midfield players so I’m looking forward to that battle next year.’

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