Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes (Picture: Getty)
Paul Scholes has named two players he wants Manchester United to sign before the transfer deadline, including Arsenal’s shock target Cristian Romero.
United have bolstered manager Michael Carrick’s squad at Old Trafford with the signings of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Karl Darlow.
Carrick is keen to welcome more new signings to the club before the summer transfer window closes, with United chasing a new left-back, another forward and possibly a third midielder.
Scholes believes a new centre-back should also be on United’s agenda, however, as the current options are ‘not good enough’.
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As a result, the Old Trafford legend believes his former club should enter the race to sign Argentina defender Romero from Tottenham.
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Romero is set to leave Spurs this summer and Atletico Madrid are leading the race to secure his signature, although Arsenal have also expressed interest in agreeing a shock deal with their north London rivals.
Assessing Manchester United’s priorities for the rest of the transfer window, Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast: ‘I think they sorted out the forward areas last summer but I think they probably need two centre backs.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Cristian Romero of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 15: Cristian Romero of Argentina reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Image Photo Agency/Getty Images)
‘You might laugh at this and I might get stick for this, but I would go and sign Christian Romero from Tottenham.
‘I know he’s a nutter, I know he’s got discipplinary issues, but he can be a very good centre half and someone that Michael Carrick could really calm down.
‘They’re talking about 30 or 40 million quid for a player who has been centre half in a World Cup final.
SOLNA, SWEDEN - AUGUST 01: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United speaks to the media prior to the during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
SOLNA, SWEDEN - AUGUST 01: Michael Carrick, Manager of Manchester United speaks to the media prior to the during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Atletico de Madrid at Strawberry Arena on August 01, 2026 in Solna, Sweden. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
‘I know he’s got disciplinary issues but I would go and get him. I think they’re desperate for a centre-back, the current ones aren’t good enough.’
Scholes wanted Manchester United to sign Sandro Tonali but the Italian left Newcastle United to join Tottenham in a deal worth £85m.
[Arsenal v Fulham - Premier League
Arsenal v Fulham - Premier League](https://metro.co.uk/2026/08/10/arsenal-backed-hijack-100m-liverpool-transfer-bruno-guimaraes-signing-29339828/)
Of the current midfield options in the transfer market, Scholes believes Adam Wharton would be a ‘perfect’ addition at the Theatre of Dreams.
Crystal Palace FC v Rayo Vallecano de Madrid - UEFA Conference League Final 2026
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton (Picture: Getty)
Wharton has been linked with many of the biggest clubs in the world over the past 24 months and is valued at around £85m by Crystal Palace.
‘I can’t believe they’re not trying to buy Adam Wharton,’ Scholes, one of the best midfielders of his generation, added.
‘Sandro Tonali would have been my first-choice but with him gone now, Adam Wharton looks perfect to me.’
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HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the post match press conference after the Manchester City v Inter Milan - Pre-Season Friendly match at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the post match press conference after the Manchester City v Inter Milan - Pre-Season Friendly match at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)