Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to prioritise the signing of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer, labelling the Italy international a 'top-class' player who could solve the club's long-standing midfield issues. The Red Devils have already spent around £200million on attacking reinforcements in the last year, bringing in Mateus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, but failed to address the centre of the pitch.
Scholes identifies Tonali as ideal target
Speaking to Sky Sports, Scholes highlighted central midfield as a 'big problem' for United. 'The centre of the pitch is a big problem for me. You don't feel like something is happening either, there's nothing, there are no rumours,' he said. 'I've said it, I said it on the podcast six months ago, I love Tonali from Newcastle. It looks like a few clubs are in for him including Tottenham. It doesn't sound like we are in for him but I think that would be… he knows the Premier League, he's been with Newcastle for two or three years, obviously he had a year where he couldn't play, but I think he's a top-class midfield player.'
Tonali, valued at £100million, is reportedly also being pursued by Arsenal, Tottenham and Juventus ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. United had been linked with Elliot Anderson, but the midfielder has agreed a deal to join Manchester City, forcing Old Trafford bosses to look elsewhere. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, Aurelien Tchouameni and Bruno Guimaraes remain on the club's radar, but Scholes believes Tonali is the best fit.
United must spend to succeed
Scholes insisted United have no choice but to invest heavily in the summer window. 'Whether Manchester United want to do that deal for £90-100m, whatever it is, I don't know. But I think they're going to have to do some business if they want to be successful next year,' he added. United recently saw Casemiro depart, leaving a void in midfield that Ruben Amorim was unable to fill during the previous transfer window.
Mainoo backed for England role
Turning to international matters, Scholes urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to give Kobbie Mainoo a chance in the Three Lions' World Cup round of 32 clash against DR Congo. Mainoo has yet to feature at the tournament, and Scholes believes his technical ability and passing range could unlock England's attack. 'I think Anderson has probably got better legs than Kobbie but I think Kobbie is more talented in his brain and technically,' Scholes explained. 'He will link the midfield to the forward players better than Elliot Anderson will, which is what we're seeing now. England are really struggling with Rice and Anderson to progress the ball through the pitch to these better players and I think Kobbie Mainoo will take the risk to do that.'
Scholes also highlighted Mainoo's work rate, noting that the United academy graduate ran 12km in a game last season. He expects an exciting battle between Mainoo and Anderson next season if Anderson completes his move to City. 'Goals-wise, they are probably similar. Can they get to ten goals maybe? I think Kobbie has probably got more of a chance of getting to 10-15 goals than Anderson. But both in their own right are top-class midfield players so I'm looking forward to that battle next year.'
Transfer background
United's failure to strengthen midfield last summer left Amorim with limited options, and the club has now re-entered the market. With Anderson heading to City and Wharton still a target, Scholes' public backing of Tonali adds pressure on United's hierarchy to act. The 26-year-old Italian has spent two seasons at Newcastle, with a year-long ban for betting offences interrupting his spell, but has since returned to form.
