Paul Scholes disagreed with Peter Schmeichel’s transfer recommendation (Image: The Good and the Bad Football Podcast)
Paul Scholes has rejected former teammate Peter Schmeichel’s recommendation that Manchester United should pursue Granit Xhaka, but Nicky Butt appears to be more receptive to the idea. Schmeichel believes former Arsenal midfielder Xhaka would be a natural signing for the club as they look to rebuild their midfield this summer.
The Reds aim to sign at least two new central midfielders as they aim to qualify for the Champions League under manager Michael Carrick, who has won 10 of his 14 games and is the favorite to become the club’s permanent head coach. Several midfielders have already been linked with a move to United in recent weeks, including Elliott Anderson, Aurelien Choameny, Sandro Tonali and Carlos Baleva.
Despite this, United legend Schmeichel believes the 33-year-old would be an ideal signing after watching his impressive form for Premier League side Sunderland in 2025-26.
“I think we should go and sign Xhaka,” the Dane said on The Good, the Bad and the Football podcast, to which Scholes quickly responded: “Well, Pete, I’ve been watching[him]but then he’s probably in the same position as Casemiro, right?”
“I would argue that we are going to build a team around Koby, Casemiro is leaving, we are bringing in Wharton or Anderson or something who is still young. What we really lack is proper leadership. If you look at what Xhaka has done at Sunderland, he is the reason why they are really good,” Schmeichel explained.
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“His leadership qualities are great, he can play 80 percent of the game and he is a very good player. I know he can do it. If he does a year or two, we need leadership. I know Tonali’s name has been mentioned. But has he done enough at Newcastle to warrant that? I think Xhaka brings a lot to the dressing room and has strength around him, which is rare. We desperately need more leadership.”
Meanwhile, Butt echoed the idea that Xhaka could fill United’s major lack of leadership qualities. “Xhaka can come in and just say, ‘He’s not going to play every game, but he’s a team player,’ but he will bring a lot to the team,” he said.
Schmeichel believes Manchester United should consider Xhaka as an option this summer. (Image: Getty)
Xhaka has proved a revelation since linking up with the Black Cats, who have exceeded all expectations this season as they achieved promotion via the Championship play-offs. Schmeichel claims that the former Arsenal captain, even more than Harry Maguire or club captain Bruno Fernandes, will instill much-needed leadership into a team that clearly lacks authority.
He added: “We desperately need more leadership and obviously we’ve been in teams where everyone has led. We know the value of having players like that there. Harry Maguire is a great leader. I think he’s a great leader and I think Bruno is too.”
“He’s a leader in his own way, but he’s a leader and he leads a lot with his play. But when you look at the rest of the team, they’re followers. We’ve been on teams where everyone has led. We know the value of having those guys there, because Sunday or Tuesday night, as I always said, Tuesday night, everything goes against us.”
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“I need someone to pull me by every hair, to let me play, to find little things to nurture me. And the value of having that, and I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I think that’s a really good thing. I want someone like that.”
