Scholes Eyes Rice as United's Dream Midfield Solution

Paul Scholes has made a surprising pitch for Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice to become Manchester United's marquee summer signing, suggesting that the club's stature means no player should be considered beyond reach in the transfer market.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the United legend put forward Rice as his top target for the midfield rebuild, despite having previously taken aim at the England international.

"I think I would go Declan Rice," Scholes explained. "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."

The midfielder remains high on United's shopping list as they plot their summer overhaul. The club invested over £200m on fresh faces last summer with a focus on attacking reinforcements, yet they've still managed only the third-highest goal tally in the Premier League this season. The focus now shifts to bolstering other departments, with at least two central midfielders expected to arrive alongside a new left-winger and left-back.

Scholes took a broader view of United's recruitment possibilities, rejecting the notion that certain targets should be deemed unrealistic for a club of their size. "Who isn't a realistic target for United? I don't believe that, I think anyone is possible for United," he said, before referencing other midfield options doing the rounds: Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Sandro Tonali.

His comments came as interim manager Michael Carrick has overseen a remarkable turnaround in form, collecting eight wins, two draws and two defeats across his opening dozen matches. United currently sit third in the Premier League and are well-positioned to secure Champions League qualification for next season.

Yet uncertainty persists over whether Carrick will be handed the job permanently, with links continuing to swirl around Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann and other elite managers.

When pressed on whether third-place finishes should guarantee Carrick the role, Scholes urged caution against emotional decision-making. He pointed to United's recent display against Leeds as a warning sign, admitting he felt concerned watching Carrick during that encounter.

"I think it's important that you don't get too carried away, too emotional with it. That Leeds game last week, you wouldn't think that it's a done deal," Scholes reflected. "I was looking at Michael and I was worried for him, they were outplayed by Leeds and I was thinking 'do something'."