Paul Scholes has questioned Manchester United's deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea, suggesting the fanbase are unlikely to be 'excited' by the midfielder's impending arrival. United have concentrated their efforts on strengthening in central midfield this summer, having spent over £200 million to overhaul the squad's attack 12 months ago.
Scholes doubts fan excitement over Santos deal
The recent exit of Casemiro has created a larger void in midfield, and United have been linked with several high-profile names. Reports last month claimed the Red Devils had reached a verbal agreement to sign Atalanta's Ederson for around £34 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons. The 27-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract with an option for an additional year.
This week, The Athletic's David Ornstein reported that United had also struck a £50 million deal to sign Santos from Chelsea. It is understood Santos has agreed personal terms and has been granted permission to undergo a medical in the north west.
Club legend questions transfer strategy
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes said: 'I don't think there's going to be a lot of excitement about it is there? Put it that way. Why are Chelsea selling him, a 22-year-old kid? Who else is around now, though, who they can get? [Sandro] Tonali has gone [to Tottenham]. [Bruno] Guimaraes, who is a really good player, I still don't think he would have suited Manchester United legs-wise, but it looks like he wants to go to Arsenal.'
Scholes name-checked Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as a potential signing, adding: 'I suppose he could be a possibility. I think he's still a good player and will be available at the right price. They've got to do something.'
Profit-led recruitment concerns
Scholes doubts manager Michael Carrick will have had much involvement in transfer discussions and believes Santos' arrival may point towards a more profit-led approach to recruitment. 'Ultimately, with Manchester United especially, it will be the fellas at the top of the club who would be deciding [targets],' Scholes explained. 'And I think they might see some value in this player as a sellable [asset]. But Manchester United buying players as a sell-on value? We need players for now. We've got the Champions League next year, we've got three games a week. It's going to be awful without these players.'
Rashford's potential return questioned
Another topic of conversation has been Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona after a falling out with former manager Ruben Amorim. Reports suggest the England forward could be given an opportunity to revive his Old Trafford career after positive talks with club officials. However, Scholes has doubts: 'I think it's only Michael [Carrick] that can do it, it's only Michael. It very rarely happens when a big player, like Marcus, goes to a big club on loan for a year, two years, whatever it is, they very rarely come back and play for the team. If anybody can get someone right then I think it would be Michael Carrick.'
According to Scholes, Rashford's decline began when he became 'really lazy' and neglected defensive responsibilities. 'I think the problem with Marcus is that he got influenced a bit by what Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi did,' Scholes added. 'I know that sounds a bit weird because it's those two but I think he got really lazy out of possession and he thought, "I'm that good", and going forward he is that good. He can beat people, he can score goals, almost the way Kylian Mbappe does really. I know it's stupid, again, to put him on that level but he won't run back anymore. I think we've seen that with England games. United winger cannot do that. Going back through the years, they have to be up and down, up and down.'
Amorim's AC Milan appointment
Amorim, who forced Rashford out, delivered his first press conference as AC Milan's new manager, admitting errors during his United spell and apologising to supporters. Scholes felt there was venom in the message: 'He had a little pop in his line where he said, "I've made mistakes at United but I need to give context to what was going on at the club", and he'll be mourning how the club was run, like every manager has done. He always spoke well, didn't he? He wanted out. He's got to take some experience with him to AC Milan. I think that was a big mistake at Manchester United, they never took anybody around him. It's like they came and they were like a different group of people and didn't really want to get involved with anybody else from the club. Now, AC Milan is just as big, AC Milan is massive. If he gets that wrong again then he won't last very long.'
