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Manchester United legend Paul Scholes (Picture: Getty)
Paul Scholes has named three ‘realistic targets’ for Manchester United after making a U-turn and naming Arsenal star Declan Rice as his ‘dream’ signing.
United are expected to prioritise midfield reinforcements this summer ahead of Casemiro’s departure from Old Trafford.
The Red Devils were already planning to sign a new midfielder before Brazil legend Casemiro announced in January that he was leaving at the end of the season.
A number of players have been linked with moves to United, including Premier League stars Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Sando Tonali.
Scholes has backed Manchester United to prioritise the signing of a superstar midfielder this summer and surprisingly named Rice as his ‘dream’ signing.
The 11-time Premier League winner has repeatedly questioned Rice’s credentials over the past 12 months, recently naming three midfielders who are ‘better’ than the Arsenal star and also claiming the England star has not been Mikel Arteta’s best player this season.
But asked to name his ‘dream’ Manchester United signing ahead of the summer transfer window, Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast: ‘I think I would go Declan Rice.
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Arsenal and England star Declan Rice (Picture: Getty)
‘I know I’ve slagged him off a little bit but I think Manchester United need someone like Rice. I think they need a proper central midfielder.
‘I heard Rio Ferdinand say something the other day about who is a realistic managerial target for United. But every manager and player should be realistic for Man United.
‘Who isn’t a realistic target for United? I don’t believe that, I think anyone is possible for United.
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Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Picture: Getty)
‘The ones they’re talking about are Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Sando Tonali – that is a position United need to strengthen.’
Rice has been one of the most influential players in the Premier League since his £105m move from West Ham to Arsenal in 2023.
The 27-year-old is still waiting to lift his first major trophy with the Gunners, however, and was part of the Arsenal team that suffered a potentially costly defeat to Manchester City at the weekend.
Arsenal missed the chance to move 12 points clear of Man City last weekend and the 2-1 defeat at the Etihad Stadium leaves Arteta’s side just three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners have been title favourites for the majority of the campaign but Man City, boasting a game in hand, now hold that status.
Scholes’ former club Manchester United, meanwhile, got back to winning ways on Saturday, beating struggling Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils were fifth at the time of Ruben Amorim’s sacking in January but have climbed to third under caretaker boss Michael Carrick.
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