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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has given crystal clear advice on which midfielder the club should pursue from the three main options on the table: Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.
United are looking at reinforcements in midfield
During the summer transfer window, United prioritized strengthening their attacking department after a goalless 2024/25 season in which they finished 15th and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
United have spent more than £200 million on the acquisitions of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko from Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford and RB Leipzig respectively. The club also signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day.
The Red Devils explored a midfield signing after identifying Baleba as their main target. However, United pulled out of a deal after learning of Brighton’s prohibitive asking price.
It is believed that there are plans to strengthen the center of the park, while Baleba is still on the list.
But the Cameroonian is not the only player on United’s radar. Anderson and Wharton are also of interest to the club as they continue to impress in the Premier League.
United may have to make a decision between the three players and Scholes knows exactly who to go for.
Scholes makes his choice
Scholes said Air sports”I think all three of them are very good players. Baleba is very young, but they are all still quite young, aren’t they? But Baleba is very young. Quality-wise, he is right there? I think he is almost in a Caicedo-esque way. He has done very well at Chelsea, don’t get me wrong, but is that the type of player Manchester United need? I’m not sure.”
“Adam Wharton is again a very good player. Can he get around the pitch? Old Trafford is a big pitch. It’s a very big pitch to get around, and you need some physicality. You need to have legs in that position.”
“I would say that, based on England’s form, what surprised me most was Elliot Anderson. I really liked him when he was at Newcastle, but I thought he was more of an attacking player, maybe playing the 8 or 10. I don’t like to say numbers, but he looks more like an 8 or 10.”
Scholes continued: “He has come into that role for England and looks very talented and stylish. He keeps the ball very well and can also pass it forward. I would like to see all three.”
“I would probably say I would go for Wharton. I still don’t think they are Manchester United style midfielders, they are more today’s style of football. I just think Wharton has a little more quality. It’s hard to say. I think he has more quality than Baleba.”
“Baleba has more legs, so that evens itself out a bit. It’s close to Elliot Anderson and Wharton. I would just choose Wharton.”
Scholes emphasized that a United midfielder must be able to do everything.
He explained: “You can attack, you can defend, you can be part of everything. That’s your job as a midfield player for Manchester United.”
United are next in action on Sunday when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
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