Manchester United duo Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo have both agreed on their dream partner amid the club’s hunt for a midfielder.
After landing Casemiro, in what looked like a marquee deal in 2022, the Brazilian struggled to replicate the same form that he showed at Real Madrid and in his first year at Old Trafford after turning in an underwhelming season. Meanwhile, Mason Mount has endured an injury-plagued year since joining from Chelsea, though his best position is usually occupied by Fernandes.
United are yet to get their reward for spending £60million on Mount last summer although the midfielder will be hoping for a more productive campaign in his second season at the club. Despite being a promising signing with a goalscoring touch, his season never got going.
Mount’s hopes of earning a starting spot could be at risk next season, with United looking to bring in a player for the middle of the park. It’s no surprise that high-profile names have emerged as potential targets including Joao Neves, Conor Gallagher and Joao Palhinha.
As the new search for a new midfielder is well and truly underway, Mainoo has previously revealed which player he would have liked to have as his midfield partner. “I’d say Paul Scholes. Although there might not be a lot defending between the two of us,” he told United’s club media.
“But, Scholes. Scholes – definitely, [because of] everything. His passing, his movement, the way he could finish. His intelligence. Yes, he was a great player.”
As for Fernandes, he also shared the same opinion – praising Scholes’ ability while also insisting that every team needs a Roy Keane-type of player. He said: “If you look at Roy Keane, he’s the kind of player all teams need. Teams play in different ways, but all the teams can have him.
“[It] doesn’t matter if you play in possession, in counter, you need a guy like this normally. I think Roy Keane is an excellent player and he can give me a lot of cover in the back.
“To play side to side with Scholes would be fantastic. If I can play with both, I play with Roy Keane in the back behind me and Scholes. Because me and Scholes can both go in the area scoring. We want to score, we want to be in the area, no? And maybe we will need Roy Keane at our backs.”
