Peter Schmeichel has urged Manchester United to sign former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka in the summer transfer window. The United legend believes the 33-year-old Switzerland international, who currently plays for Sunderland, would provide the 'proper leadership' the club desperately needs.
United's midfield overhaul
Manchester United are in the market to sign at least one new central midfielder this summer, with Casemiro set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer once his contract expires. The club has been linked with several young talents, including Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali. However, Schmeichel argues that experience and leadership should be the priority.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, Schmeichel said: 'I have one that's a little bit controversial in thinking but I think we should go and sign Xhaka. Have you watched him? I make my case, what we are going to do is build the team around Kobbie, right. Now, Casemiro is leaving. Now you bring in somebody like Wharton, Anderson whatever… that's still young, that's still Manchester United untried.'
Xhaka's career resurgence
Xhaka spent seven seasons at Arsenal, helping the club win two FA Cup trophies, before leaving to become a key figure in the Bayer Leverkusen side that won the domestic double under Xabi Alonso in 2024. He joined Sunderland in a £17 million deal last year and has been instrumental in helping Regis Le Bris' side avoid relegation this season.
Schmeichel highlighted Xhaka's impact: 'What we need and what we don't really have apart from Harry [Maguire] and Bruno [Fernandes] in that team is proper leadership, right? When I look at what Xhaka's done for Sunderland, Xhaka is the reason they are where they are. He has been absolutely amazing, his leadership qualities are great, he can play 80 per cent of the games, he is actually a really good player. I know he can do it. And if he could do one or two years. We need leadership.'
He added: 'I know Tonali… has he done enough at Newcastle to warrant that? I think about the leadership and the dressing room, having that power around a person is very rare these days. I think that's one thing we really need, we're desperate for more leadership. I think Harry [Maguire] is a fantastic leader, I think Bruno [Fernandes] is a leader in his own way and he leads a lot by how he plays but I look at the rest of the squad and they are followers. We know the value of having those players in there. You need someone who can pull you out by the hair and get you playing. That value of having that is just… I think that would be a really good thing.'
Scholes disagrees
However, fellow United legend Paul Scholes dismissed Schmeichel's suggestion, calling it 'a backwards step'. Scholes said: 'I just think it's a backwards step. I do like him, I think he's really good but I think he's good where he's at. Look, he's played for big clubs, he's played for Arsenal, he had a tricky time there, I just don't think that's very ambitious.'
United fans will have to wait and see which direction the club takes in the transfer market, but Schmeichel's call for experienced leadership has sparked debate among supporters and pundits alike.
