Manchester United have been linked to Alex Scott and Manu Kone as the third and final midfield signing of the summer transfer window.
The signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans kicked off Manchester United’s midfield overhaul, but Ineos want one more midfielder to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad.
According to reports, United are prepared to bid for Manu Kone, but if the Red Devils prefer a Premier League-proven target, then Alex Scott has rejected a contract offer from Bournemouth and could be available.
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Alex Scott vs Manu Kone statistical comparison
United have already added two on-the-ball technicians into their midfield in the shape of Santos and Tielemans. A different profile is needed for the third midfielder.
The Red Devils need a highly athletic, defensive-minded midfielder to complete the rebuild and address the current weaknesses in Carrick’s options.
The following table is a statistical breakdown from Scoutlab that outlines how Alex Scott and Manu Kone compare to central midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. The numbers represent their percentile in that category compared to their peers.
Alex Scott 2025/26 stat comparison Manu Kone
64 Final product 72
72 Shooting 57
59 Creation 83
76 Crossing 20
66 Set pieces 29
55 Receiving 58
69 Dribbling 83
44 Progression 71
14 Passing accuracy 90
84 Active defending 26
68 Aerial 45
The statistical comparison reveals some key findings.
Scott is more defensively capable than Manu Kone
Kone is safer in possession
Scott is better in aerial and ground duels
Kone is more creative and progressive
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FotMob reinforce the idea that Scott is more defensively strong than Kone, with the Bournemouth midfielder winning 185 duels and making 387 defensive contributions in 2025/26 – enough to put him in the top 5% of midfielders.
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Alex Scott is the right fit for Manchester United plan
If it is between Scott and Kone for the third midfield signing at United, then the answer must be the former.
Scott has Premier League experience and is the better profile to complete the rebuild. Defensively, his statistics dominate Kone, who is too similar to Tielemans and Santos.
READ MORE: Man Utd have three aces up their sleeve to ease Alex Scott’s transfer, it will benefit Bournemouth too
Scott is also the younger option at 22 years old compared to 25 year old Kone. The Bournemouth midfielder will be more expensive, though.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claims Scott is valued at £80m, while Kone could be sold for £50m or less this summer.
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