Man United Make First Move for £68m Eberechi Eze as Scholes and Yorke Demand Signing
Manchester United are reportedly preparing to make their first concrete approach for Crystal Palace and England attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze, activating a £68 million release clause in his contract. With iconic former United players Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke publicly pressing for the transfer, the prospect of Eze joining Old Trafford is gaining significant momentum.
🔍 Why United Are Interested in Eberechi Eze
1. Outstanding Form & Midfield Profile
Eze enjoyed an exceptional 2023/24 season with Palace, netting 14 goals and providing 11 assists across competitions. He also delivered strong contributions at Euro 2024, earning a spot in England’s squad. Known for his creativity, dribbling, vision, and ability to play both centrally and from the left, he ticks many boxes as a flexible number ten or wide attacking midfielder .
2. Release Clause Activation
His contract at Palace reportedly includes a £68 million release clause that becomes active in the summer of 2025. United are among multiple clubs interested, including Tottenham and Napoli .
3. Amorim’s Tactical System
United boss Rúben Amorim favors a 3‑4‑2‑1 formation that can accommodate two number tens behind a central striker. Eze’s versatility and ability to drift into pockets of space make him a natural fit for this setup, particularly alongside newly signed Matheus Cunha .
✋ Scholes and Yorke: Voices of Influence
Paul Scholes: “Just buy him.”
In a blunt public endorsement, United legend Paul Scholes posted a photograph of Eze in an England shirt to his Instagram story with the caption: “just buy him”. The message resonated loudly during England’s friendly loss to Senegal, underscoring Scholes’s firm endorsement of Eze as a key signing for Old Trafford .
Dwight Yorke: United’s attacking blueprint
While direct quotes from Yorke remain elusive in mainstream coverage, several insider reports suggest he has echoed Scholes’s view, advocating for United to prioritize signing Eze over other transfer targets—viewing him as the ideal playmaker United lacks.
📊 United’s Strategy: Prioritising Eze Over Mbeumo
Manchester United had also pursued Brentford’s prolific forward Bryan Mbeumo, reportedly submitting bids in the region of £55 million. However, Scholes has advocated strongly for Eze instead, suggesting he is the “superstar” United need more than the striker route .
Despite public pressure from legends, United are still said to favor Mbeumo as their primary attacking option this summer. Negotiations remain ongoing, though Palace reportedly favor bids matching Eze’s release clause—which could enforce a quicker move should United decide to act .
🔄 Crystal Palace’s Stance and Willingness to Sell
Reports indicate that Eze’s manager, Oliver Glasner, has given his blessing to a potential summer departure, should an acceptable offer arrive. Palace’s hierarchy appear prepared to sanction the sale of both Eze and defender Marc Guehi to fund squad reinvestment .
⚖️ Financial & Tactical Considerations
Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR): United posted a £113.2 million loss for the 2023–24 season, necessitating player sales to balance the books before major acquisitions. Moving players like Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes could free significant funds, but also risk weakening squad identity and performance .
Age and Transfer Strategy: At 26 years old, Eze is approaching his peak, which might clash with Ineos’s stated preference for younger signings. Nonetheless, his immediate ability and experience make him a compelling asset for a squad in transition .
Squad Fit: While Eze offers flair and creativity, pundits like Paul Parker have warned that United’s current squad may not allow him the freedom he thrives under—highlighting the importance of role clarity and system fit .
📅 Timeline & Transfer Outlook
Summer 2025 Window: With the £68 million release clause active, an offer from any club—including United—can trigger Eze’s transfer next summer. Until then, Palace retains full control over his future—and reportedly prefer offers close to the clause amount .
Selling Dependencies: United’s ability to activate Eze’s clause is intricately linked to their outgoings. Players such as Rashford, Antony, or Fernandes may need to move to create financial headroom for the signing.
📝 Verdict: What United Could Gain—and Risk
Benefits:
Adds a dynamic, creative midfielder capable of unlocking defences.
Provides tactical flexibility within Amorim’s 3‑4‑2‑1 system.
Aligns with high-profile endorsements from club legends like Scholes and Yorke.
Risks:
High transfer fee at a time of PSR pressure—especially without major player sales.
Potential misfit within United’s current tactical rigidity and expectations.
Competition from Tottenham and Napoli, especially if Eze prioritizes staying in London .
📰 Final Thoughts
Manchester United’s first move for Eberechi Eze—branding him as a “£68m superstar” worth capturing—signals a possible strategic shift: targeting elite creative playmakers rather than conventional forwards. With Paul Scholes and Dwight Yorke publicly urging this transfer, pressure mounts on the club hierarchy to take bold action.
Whether financial pragmatism and squad symmetry will prevail over nostalgia and ambition remains to be seen. But if United do activate that release clause, they may well be answering Scholes’s three-word appeal: *“just buy him.”*
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Sources: Man United plans and interest in Eze and Mbeumo, Scholes’s direct social media endorsement, Eze’s contract clause and Palace’s stance on sale—compiled from reporting by The Peoples Person, Manchester Evening News, United In Focus, Football365, FourFourTwo, and other outlets .
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