“Not a Dream, But Something They Need” — Scholes and Butt Name Arsenal Star Manchester United Must Sign

Manchester United legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have both spoken candidly about the type of player they believe could strengthen their old club’s midfield, highlighting a particular Arsenal star as an ideal addition.

United are navigating another challenging campaign under Ruben Amorim, with consistency still proving elusive. While recent signings such as Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko – a combined £200 million investment – have shown flashes of promise in attack, the Red Devils’ midfield remains a work in progress.

Midfield Concerns at Old Trafford

Despite Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes forming the current first-choice central pairing, doubts about their long-term future are growing. Fernandes suffered a frustrating injury against Aston Villa recently, and the Portuguese captain has publicly acknowledged that the club attempted to offload him last summer. Casemiro, meanwhile, is out of contract in the summer and is expected to depart.

With limited options, United’s director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly has his eye on four midfield targets: Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, and Alex Scott. However, the ideal solution may have already passed the club when Declan Rice chose to join Arsenal in 2023. Since then, Rice has developed into one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders, a fact highlighted by former manager David Moyes following Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over United.

Legends Back Declan Rice

Scholes, speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, made no secret of his admiration for Rice and what he could offer Manchester United:

“Not a dream, but something I think they need is probably a Declan Rice type.”

Nodding in agreement, Butt added:

“That’s what I was going to say, Declan Rice.”

Their comments underline the pressing need for a midfielder capable of combining defensive solidity with the ability to dictate play – the exact qualities Rice brings to Arsenal’s engine room.

More Realistic Options

While Rice may be out of reach, Scholes suggested a more attainable target in Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo:

“I’d say Semenyo. Although, where does he play for Man Utd? As a wing-back? He’s more of an attacking player. I just don’t see where he fits with Mbeumo, Cunha, Diallo, Sesko. I think it’s more doable. A lot of people have talked about him going to City. I don’t see him as a City player, I just don’t. I think Liverpool might come for him with those injuries.”

Meanwhile, Butt highlighted Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, who impressed during United’s recent defeat at Villa Park, as a player who could realistically bolster the Red Devils’ midfield:

“Realistic one if Man United go back to bullying teams and buying their best players. I don’t mean Arsenal or City, but those next ones down which we always used to do – which used to go to Tottenham and get their best player. Morgan Rogers, go and get him. Play him wherever, he’s better than what we’ve got at the moment.”

Scholes agreed, drawing on United’s historic strategy of signing top performers from other clubs:

“Nicky’s got a good point. We got Dwight Yorke, the best player from Aston Villa, Teddy Sheringham, Robin van Persie from Arsenal. We used to go and get their best players. I’m not sure we’re in that position at the minute.”

With United struggling to find a midfield solution and the window approaching, the debate over who could strengthen the squad is set to intensify. While Declan Rice represents the ultimate acquisition, the likes of Semenyo or Rogers may offer pragmatic alternatives to improve the balance and creativity in Ruben Amorim’s side.

Manchester United’s path back to the top four may well depend on their ability to identify and secure the right midfielder – someone capable of stabilizing the team while driving forward attacking play. Whether they turn to proven stars, emerging talents, or both, the club’s midfield strategy will be critical to their season’s fortunes.