Paul Scholes has said he thinks the club should sell eight Manchester United players this summer as they aim to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League.
Paul Scholes names some players Manchester United should move on to next (Image: YouTube/The Good, the Bad and the Football Podcast)
Manchester United icon Paul Scholes has identified eight players he believes the club should release this summer to revamp their squad. United are battling to qualify for the Champions League under manager Michael Carrick. Manager Carrick will take charge of the club on an interim basis under contract until the end of this season.
There is considerable demand for Carrick to take on the role permanently, but United are in no rush to name Ruben Amorim’s replacement. The club spent big in last summer’s transfer window to prevent a repeat of last season’s disastrous top-flight results.
While these acquisitions have paid off in the grand scheme of things, United remains well short of challenging for major silverware. The ongoing struggle with PSR (Profit and Sustainability Regulations) and SCR (Team Cost Ratio) from next season means the club will have to sell in order to rebuild.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Scholes was asked about which players he would keep at the club and which he would let go. Starting with defender Lenny Yolo, Scholes said: “I think he’s struggling, I think. I think there’s something there and I think he needs some time, but if I had to choose now I’d probably sell him.”
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He was not the only defender to come under criticism from the former United midfielder. When asked about Nousser Mazraoui, Scholes was unequivocal. “It’s a sell. I don’t know where he fits. He’s like a centre-half on the right and they don’t play three centre-halves anymore. If they had three centre-halves they would probably use him as one of five or six, but I think it’s probably time to let him go.”
Scholes turned to Luke Shaw and said: “When he was playing consistently, I don’t think there was a better left-back, not just in Europe but in the world. But now that you say it, he hasn’t looked bad this year but I would sell him. He hasn’t played enough games.”
Patrick Dawg was among those brought in to work within Amorim’s system, but Scholes remains unconvinced of his place. He said: “They brought him in as a wing-back, but he hasn’t played much there. I’d probably sell him. I don’t know what position he’ll be in. Again, if they keep him, he’s just an international player.”
United are widely expected to strengthen their midfield options this summer, with Casemiro leaving Old Trafford and the club rumored to have a number of potential replacements. But if Scholes has his way, the Brazilian won’t be the only midfielder heading for the exit. Regarding Mason Mount, Scholes commented: “I would probably sell him, I like him, he’s a great footballer.”
Paul Scholes thinks Manchester United should consider parting ways with Mason Mount (Image: Getty Images)
“But he’s never going to play in front of Bruno Fernandes. I don’t know what other positions he can play, and he hasn’t played enough games.” Of Manuel Ugarte, Scholes said: “I think he’s going to go.”
The former England international also hinted at giving Joshua Zirkzee an exit door. Harry Maguire has signed a new contract at United, with his previous contract expiring this summer, but Scholes does not believe the England international has the quality to help the club win the league or the Champions League.
“You know, I think he was really good and he really came back from the dead,” Scholes said. “I think what he’s done so far has been sensational and I’m very happy for him, but I think he wants to win the league and the Champions League with this Manchester United team and that’s where United should be aiming.
“I don’t know if I would do that with Maguire. Unless he has a player like Rio[Ferdinand]next to him, maybe. It’s Manchester United. We have to talk about winning the Premier League.”
“If it’s one of the four, I’d probably pick him, but I’d put De Ligt as one of the four. I think they’re both very similar, but De Ligt is a bit younger so that’s on his side, and he’s a bit faster, so I’d probably pick De Ligt.”
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