Paul Scholes has seen his transfer advice to Manchester United and Michael Carrick go largely ignored. Scholes, a club legend with over 700 appearances, recommended eight players to sell, but United appear to be acting on only one.
United have signed Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while Casemiro's exit has caused headaches. Scholes specifically addressed players he thinks should have followed the Brazilian out of the door.
Zirkzee Close to Exit
Joshua Zirkzee, earmarked by Scholes for a move, is edging closer to a return to Italy, two years after signing from Bologna. Italian outlets claim Zirkzee is open to joining Juventus on loan with an option to buy.
Scholes and Carrick shared seven seasons as United team-mates, making 159 appearances together. Yet while Scholes' suggestion to sell Zirkzee may prove correct, the remaining seven players could all feature in United's plans next season.
Defensive Overhaul Urged
Scholes stressed the importance of revamping the backline. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, he said of Leny Yoro: "I think he's struggled, me. I think there's something in there, I think he needs a bit of time, but if you had to make a choice now, I'd probably sell him."
He suggested the departure from Ruben Amorim's three-at-the-back system would affect Noussair Mazraoui. When asked about the Morocco international, he said: "Sell. I don't know where he fits in. He's been like a right-sided centre-half and they don't play with three centre-halves anymore. I think it's probably time to let him go now."
Mazraoui remains in Carrick's squad, and Yoro has expressed his desire to make an impact at United next season.
Maguire and Shaw Futures
Scholes also felt it was time to move on from Harry Maguire. He said: "I'm thinking about a Manchester United team you want to win the league and the Champions League and that's where United should be aiming. I'm not sure you'd do that with Maguire."
United have maintained an interest in Newcastle full-back Lewis Hall throughout the transfer window. Scholes urged the club to offload Luke Shaw due to doubts about his reliability, despite the defender playing every Premier League game last season. He was equally prepared to let Patrick Dorgu leave.
On Dorgu, Scholes said: "They brought him in as a wing-back and he's not really played much there. I'd probably sell. I'm not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him then he's just a squad player."
Midfield Concerns
Scholes felt Manuel Ugarte would depart, with the Uruguayan linked to an exit before a World Cup injury. Mason Mount also featured on Scholes' eight-man list, though he has impressed in pre-season.
Of the eight players Scholes recommended selling, only Zirkzee appears destined for an imminent departure. Progress regarding the remaining seven — Yoro, Mazraoui, Shaw, Dorgu, Mount, Ugarte and Maguire — appears virtually non-existent.
