Paul Scholes urges Manchester United to sell eight players in squad overhaul
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has identified eight first-team players he believes the club should sell this summer, despite the recent decision to extend Harry Maguire's contract. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, the former midfielder argued that a significant clear-out is necessary if United are to compete for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Scholes' list includes defenders Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, full-back Patrick Dorgu, left-back Luke Shaw, and midfielders Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, and Joshua Zirkzee. While praising Maguire's resurgence, Scholes suggested the England international should not be a first-choice centre-back for a title-chasing side, a view that comes just days after the club confirmed Maguire had signed a new one-year deal with an option for a further season. According to a TEAMtalk report from March, Maguire turned down approaches from four other Premier League clubs to commit his future to Old Trafford.
The proposed sales align with the strategic overhaul planned by co-owners INEOS, who are seeking to reshape the squad ahead of the new season. The club is expected to part ways with several high-profile names, including Casemiro, whose contract expires, while the futures of forwards Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, and Jadon Sancho remain uncertain. The funds generated from departures are intended to finance moves for two central midfielders, a left winger, and a left-back, with potential additional signings at centre-half, right-back, and goalkeeper dependent on the budget.
Scholes provided specific reasoning for each player on his sell list. On Yoro, he stated the young defender has "struggled" and needs time, but he would currently move him on. He questioned Mazraoui's fit in the squad, noting the team no longer uses a back three where the Moroccan could operate as a right-sided centre-back. Regarding the injury-plagued Luke Shaw, Scholes called him "world-class" at his best but concluded he does not play enough games to be relied upon.
His assessment of Mason Mount was similarly pragmatic, acknowledging the player's quality but noting he is unlikely to displace Bruno Fernandes and has been hampered by injuries since his arrival from Chelsea. Scholes also advised the club to sell underwhelming signings Ugarte and Zirkzee at the earliest opportunity. The club's decision-making will now be scrutinized, particularly the choice to extend Maguire's deal contrary to Scholes' public advice.
The coming months will be critical for United's new hierarchy as they attempt to balance financial constraints with ambitions to return to the summit of English football. Scholes' comments reflect a growing consensus that the squad requires ruthless decisions, even if they involve popular or recently extended players, to build a group capable of challenging Manchester City and Arsenal.
