Sir Jim Ratcliffe has identified Paul Scholes as the midfielder he would most like to bring back to Manchester United, just as the club prepares to lose Casemiro at the end of the season. During an appearance on The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club podcast in 2024, the INEOS chairman was asked which former United star he would revive at their peak for then-manager Erik ten Hag. 'I think I'd bring Paul Scholes,' Ratcliffe said. 'That's the player that they are sort of most missing.' He contrasted the Brazilian and Kobbie Mainoo as 'quite defensive midfielders' compared to the creativity of Scholes or Andrés Iniesta.
United have been linked with several midfield targets including Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, and Brighton's Carlos Baleba, as the club faces a significant rebuild in the centre of the park. However, Ratcliffe cannot land his dream acquisition because Scholes has been retired for more than a decade. With Casemiro set to leave after three-and-a-half seasons and 150 appearances, and Manuel Ugarte having started only seven league games this term, midfield reinforcements are expected to be the priority in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Since Ratcliffe assumed control of football operations in February 2024, United have spent over £400 million on new arrivals. The 2024/25 campaign focused on defensive signings such as Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Noussair Mazraoui, and Patrick Dorgu. The following season saw attacking additions, including Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. With those areas addressed, the spotlight now falls on midfield recruitment to complete the squad overhaul.
Kobbie Mainoo's future has also been uncertain after falling out of favour under Ruben Amorim, but interim manager Michael Carrick has reinstated the England international, starting him in back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal. As doubts surround United's midfield options, the club's next transfer move could define the next phase of their rebuild, with Ratcliffe hoping to find a player who can provide the control and creativity that Scholes once offered.
