SCHOLES URGES UNITED TO RETHINK MIDFIELD PLANS AS HE PUSHES FOR “MAINOO 2.0”
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has publicly questioned the club’s current transfer strategy, urging the INEOS leadership to reconsider their pursuit of a highly-rated Portuguese midfielder and instead focus their attention on a player he believes is a far better fit for the club’s future.
The former United midfielder expressed concerns about spending a huge fee on a player who has yet to establish himself as a regular starter for the Portuguese national team.
According to Scholes, United should not be building their midfield project around someone who is still struggling to secure a consistent place at international level.
His comments come as Manchester United continue to monitor West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, a player reportedly valued at around £80 million.
The 21-year-old has emerged as one of the club’s priority targets this summer, with United viewing him as a long-term addition capable of strengthening the midfield for years to come.
However, Scholes believes the club should look elsewhere.
The United icon has instead highlighted Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson as the ideal candidate to transform the midfield.
Scholes has long admired Anderson’s qualities and feels the young midfielder possesses the attributes needed to thrive at Old Trafford.
According to him, Anderson’s performances over the last season have been exceptional, proving that he can perform consistently at Premier League level.
Scholes is convinced that the Forest midfielder would form an outstanding partnership alongside Kobbie Mainoo, creating a dynamic midfield capable of competing with the best teams in England.
The former England international has repeatedly praised Anderson’s intelligence, work rate, technical ability, and composure under pressure.
He believes those qualities make him the perfect complement to Mainoo, who is already regarded as one of United’s brightest young stars.
Scholes’s criticism of the Fernandes pursuit is not just about talent—it is also about value for money. Spending £80 million on a player who is not yet a regular international starter, he argues, carries significant risk.
In contrast, Anderson has already proven himself in English football and could potentially offer greater value while fitting seamlessly into Carrick’s tactical plans.
The debate comes at a crucial time for Manchester United as they continue rebuilding their squad ahead of the new season.
With Champions League football secured and Michael Carrick preparing for his first full campaign as permanent manager, every transfer decision carries enormous importance.
Adding further complexity to the situation is the uncertain future of Manuel Ugarte. The Uruguayan midfielder has struggled to make a major impact since arriving at Old Trafford and could be sold this summer if a suitable offer arrives.
Should he depart, United would almost certainly need another midfielder, increasing the significance of their recruitment choices.
Scholes’s intervention has now added another layer to the conversation. His message is clear: rather than spending heavily on potential, United should prioritize players who have already demonstrated their quality in the Premier League.
Whether INEOS listens remains to be seen, but the club legend has made his stance unmistakably clear. As the summer transfer window gathers momentum, the battle over Manchester United’s midfield future is becoming one of the most intriguing stories at Old Trafford.
