Paul Scholes Tells Manchester United That £100m-Rated Ruben Amorim Target Is Not the Player They Need
Manchester United’s recruitment strategy has come under intense scrutiny in recent seasons, from inconsistent signings to inflated transfer fees and short-term fixes that failed to align with any long-term football identity. So when reports surfaced that the club was prepared to back manager Ruben Amorim with a £100 million move for a highly rated target, many fans reacted with cautious optimism. But club legend Paul Scholes has poured cold water on the excitement, insisting that the player in question – despite his talent – is not what Manchester United need right now.
Scholes, known for his straightforward and often brutally honest assessments, has become one of the most respected voices in analysing the club’s direction post-Ferguson. His comments on the £100m-rated target have reignited the debate surrounding United’s priorities under Amorim and what the squad truly lacks as it attempts to rebuild.
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Scholes: “Good Player, Wrong Profile”
Speaking during a Premier League broadcast, Scholes didn’t shy away from criticising the club’s reported intention to spend such a large fee on a player who, according to him, doesn’t fit the team’s structural needs. While he acknowledged the player’s technical quality and rising reputation in Europe, Scholes argued that United’s immediate problems lie elsewhere.
“You can see why he appeals to Amorim,” Scholes said. “He’s talented, he’s energetic, he’s got a modern style that fits what the manager wants. But when you look at what this team is missing, what they’re struggling with week in, week out, I don’t see this player as the answer. He’s a luxury signing – and United aren’t in a position for luxury signings.”
The phrase “luxury signing” hit home. In a squad crying out for physicality, leadership, defensive reliability, and balance, Scholes believes spending £100 million on a player who does not directly fix those gaps would only repeat past mistakes.
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A Pattern Manchester United Cannot Afford to Repeat
United have a history of signing headline-grabbing players who didn’t address the team’s true weaknesses. Scholes referenced past transfer windows where the club opted for glamorous signings instead of functional ones that would have improved overall cohesion.
He pointed to examples like Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba’s turbulent return, and even the high-profile capture of Jadon Sancho. These players, while undeniably talented, were added to squads that lacked the structural foundations needed for them to thrive. In every case, the result was the same: flashes of brilliance that ultimately didn’t translate into long-term success.
“United don’t need another marquee name right now,” Scholes insisted. “They need players who solve problems. Players who strengthen the spine. Players who bring consistency, not just moments.”
His comments echo the frustrations of fans who have watched United struggle with the same tactical issues for several seasons: a fragile midfield, an inconsistent defence, and a lack of identity in possession.
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Where Amorim’s Vision Meets Reality
Ruben Amorim arrived with a clear playing philosophy – one built on high pressing, structured build-up, midfield dominance, and fluid attacking rotations. His success at Sporting Lisbon and his reputation as an elite modern coach made him an attractive appointment.
But Scholes believes there is a disconnect between Amorim’s ideal target and what United currently require to execute his system properly.
“Amorim’s style needs certain types of players,” Scholes explained. “But this team isn’t at that level yet. Before you add the exciting piece, you build the base. And United haven’t built the base.”
For Scholes, United should be focusing on:
A dominant defensive midfielder who protects the back line
A reliable centre-back partnership that can withstand pressure
A deep-lying playmaker capable of controlling tempo
A natural No. 9 with movement and finishing efficiency
Without those essentials, he argues, spending £100 million on a player who may not directly influence any of those areas is misguided.
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A Closer Look at the Player United Are Targeting
While Scholes did not explicitly attack the player’s quality, he questioned the logic of prioritising him over more urgent needs. The £100m-rated target – a creative, progressive-minded midfielder in Amorim’s preferred profile – brings flair, technical ability, and future potential. But he does not solve United’s recurring issues in transition, defensive compactness, and midfield battles.
Several scouts view the player as one for the future, a rising star rather than a ready-made leader. Scholes believes United have reached a point where “potential” is no longer enough.
“This isn’t a club that can gamble on what someone might become in three years,” he said. “They need players who make a difference tomorrow morning.”
His comments reflect a broader concern: United’s squad features too many developing talents and not enough established performers who can handle the pressure of pulling the club back into the top four.
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Financial Logic Under Scrutiny
A £100m move for any player comes with enormous scrutiny, and Scholes questioned whether it makes financial sense for United to invest such a fee in a position that is not the team’s biggest weakness.
With INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe pushing for smarter, more sustainable recruitment, such a signing would contradict recent promises to avoid inflated, inefficient deals. Scholes pointed out that spending £100 million on one player could restrict United’s ability to address more pressing positions in the same window.
“If you’re paying that much for one player, he has to be transformational,” Scholes said. “But looking at this squad, the transformational signings need to be in different areas.”
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What Manchester United Should Prioritise Instead
According to Scholes, United’s next major investments need to reinforce the structural spine rather than add another creative midfielder. He highlighted the following priorities:
1. A top-class No. 6 – someone who can shield the defence, break up play, and control transitions.
2. A powerful centre-back capable of organising the back line.
3. A consistent goalscorer who relieves the pressure on young attackers.
4. A deep-lying playmaker to dictate matches, especially under Amorim’s possession-heavy approach.
“These are players who change the character of a team,” Scholes emphasised. “Get those positions right and then you can look at the more exciting signings.”
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A Warning Rooted in Experience
Paul Scholes’ criticism doesn’t come from negativity but from deep understanding. As part of a United side built on balance, structure, and long-term planning, he recognises the dangers of impulsive spending that chases hype rather than addressing real issues.
His warning to Amorim and the United hierarchy is simple:
Build the foundations first before adding the finishing touches.
United have been drifting for too long, making glamorous but misguided decisions. Scholes believes that if the club truly wants to return to the top, every transfer must serve the bigger picture – not just the headlines.
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Conclusion
The £100m-rated target may be talented and may even become a world-class player, but for Paul Scholes, the timing and priorities are wrong. Manchester United, he argues, must focus on strengthening the spine, not adding another creative spark to an already unstable structure.
His message resonates with supporters who have seen the club repeat the same transfer mistakes year after year. And as United prepare for another defining window, Scholes’ voice serves as a timely reminder: talent alone does not fix a broken team – the right profile does.
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