Paul Scholes has questioned Manchester United's deal to sign Andrey Santos, suggesting the fanbase is unlikely to be 'excited' by the midfielder's impending arrival from Chelsea. United have concentrated their efforts on strengthening in central midfield this summer, having spent over £200 million to overhaul the squad's misfiring attack 12 months ago.
Casemiro's exit creates void
The recent departure of Casemiro has left a larger gap to fill in midfield, and numerous high-profile names have been linked with moves to Old Trafford ahead of the 2026/27 campaign. Last month, reports claimed United had 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. The 22-year-old has agreed personal terms and been granted permission to undergo a medical in the north west.
Scholes not impressed
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?' He questioned the club's recruitment strategy, adding: 'Ultimately, with Manchester United especially, it will be the fellas at the top of the club who would be deciding [targets]. 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.'
Scholes also suggested Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton as a potential signing: '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.'
Rashford's future uncertain
Another topic of debate is Marcus Rashford, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona after falling out with former manager Ruben Amorim. Reports suggest Rashford could be given a chance to revive his United career after positive talks with club officials. However, Scholes expressed doubts: 'I think it's only Michael [Carrick] that can do it. 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.'
Scholes attributed Rashford's decline to becoming 'really lazy' out of possession, influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. '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. But he won't run back anymore. Going back through the years, they have to be up and down, up and down.'
Amorim's AC Milan move
Amorim, who forced Rashford out, delivered his first press conference as AC Milan manager, admitting errors during his United tenure and apologising to fans. Scholes felt there was 'a little pop' in his message: '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.' Scholes added that Amorim's failure to bring his own staff to United was a 'big mistake' and warned that AC Milan is 'just as big' and he 'won't last very long' if he gets it wrong again.
