Man Utd paid price of ignoring Paul Scholes' transfer plea as £68m deal set to be snubbed

Paul Scholes once pleaded with Manchester United to sign a towering centre-half to partner Harry Maguire in order for them to return to the top of the pile in the Premier League. However, these demands fell on deaf ears at Old Trafford, and the Red Devils could be heading towards making the same mistake again this summer.

In 2020, United sat in third place in the Premier League table, 33 points behind arch-rivals and title winners Liverpool, and 15 points adrift of second-placed Manchester City. While they weren't serious contenders for the title in the 2019/20 season, ex-United star Scholes was adamant that the club weren't that far off from returning to the top of the table once again in the future.

Speaking to BBC Radio5Live at the time, the former midfielder said: "There is a big gap to close, there’s no doubt about that. The points difference is ridiculous and the quality of Man City obviously is there for everyone to see.

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"I really don’t think they are a million miles away. I know we spoke about four or five players but I think it’s two or three now. I think you are looking at a centre-forward, a really classy goal scorer and possibly a centre-half to play next to [Harry] Maguire.

"Look, I think [Victor] Lindelof has done alright but I just think Maguire with his lack of pace at times (can get caught). If he’s got a really dominant centre-half next to him like a Rio Ferdinand or Jaap Stam who bullies centre-forwards I think that would be a big help to the team."

However, United's transfers during the summer window ahead of the 2020/21 season did not reflect Scholes's request for a defender and a world-class forward.

In fact, fast forward five years on and the only star signed during that summer that still remains in contention at the club is Amad Diallo, following loan spells at Scottish club Rangers and newly-arriving Premier League side Sunderland.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær instead signed Alex Telles, Edinson Cavani, Donny van de Beek, and Facundo Pellistri to the first team but failed to win any silverware as they were defeated on penalties in the Europa League final that year by Villarreal.

The team finished second in the Premier League, 12 points behind champions City. Had club chiefs listened to Scholes and delivered the two signings he demanded, there's no telling if United would've been able to topple their arch-rivals.

Despite bringing in more players, including big-name stars like Raphael Varane, Jadon Sancho and returning hero Cristiano Ronaldo, United went backwards and ended up finishing sixth after Solskjaer had left his position midway through the 2021/22 season.

One thing was clear to many when Solskjaer departed; United's squad were nowhere good enough to compete at the summit of the league and needed a serious rebuild. Ralf Rangnick, who replaced Solskjaer on a temporary basis, said as much by insisting they needed years and at least 10 new players to catch up with the likes of Liverpool and City.

After Rangnick's brief but disappointing spell in charge, Erik ten Hag was appointed to take over the reins in May 2022.

Despite installing a new progressive manager with a track record of winning, the transfer strategy remained a mess. Big money was spent on Antony, Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez, but these players did not boost United's chances of league glory, and the team ended up finishing third, some 14 points off champions City.

Bar an FA Cup trophy, the last two seasons at Old Trafford have been woeful. In 2025, United endured a historically bad Premier League season, recording their worst-ever points tally of 42 from 38 games and their lowest position of 15th.

The attacking front mustered just 44 goals throughout the league campaign and failed to get across the line and salvage their season by losing in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

Now, Scholes has insisted United make a move for another talented star to alleviate their scoring woes, telling the hierarchy to "just buy" Eberechi Eze this summer.

The Crystal Palace midfielder has been a shining light in the Premier League this season, scoring the winner against City in the FA Cup final and handing the London side their first-ever major trophy.

It was during England's 3-1 defeat to Senegal that Scholes made the plea to United, as the 26-year-old seemed to be one of the only positives during the loss earlier in June.

During the game, Scholes posted a picture of Eze in an England shirt with the caption, "Just buy him", and it seems that he isn't the only United icon urging the club to make a move for the young attacker.

Former United forward Dwight Yorke has also claimed Eze is "perfect" for the club.

Yorke told The Metro: "Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace would be perfect for Manchester United. Yeah, he scored at the weekend in the FA Cup final, but it’s not just about that. A year ago, maybe more, I said this kid and Michael Olise – who went to Bayern – United should buy them for £100 million. Put £100m down and you will get two fantastic players.

"Instead, they listened to the figures in the hierarchy, which is understandable, but it’s glaring just how good these two are. Eze has the decision-making, the talent, he’s a good athlete, he can create and score. He’s at the right age to step up and play on a bigger platform. It’s a no-brainer."

However, it looks like Scholes' pleas - and not for the first time - are set to fall on deaf ears as Spurs look to be ready to splash £68million and trigger Eze's release clause.

The London club, who recently ended United's hopes for European glory with a 1-0 win in the Europa League final, are reportedly keen on landing Eze this summer.

The Mirror understands that the young midfielder has been a longtime target for the Lilywhites, and new boss Thomas Frank is keen to strengthen his attacking line-up due to club captain Son Heung-min potentially leaving this summer.

United are also planning to land Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo to complement their summer acquisition of Brazil forward Matheus Cunha, potentially putting to bed any plans to make a move for Eze as well.

The club have just spent £62.5million on the ex-Wolves star, and also recently made an improved offer of more than £60m for Mbeumo. So, with almost £123m out the door already, an extra £68m on Eze doesn't seem likely.

United have already paid the price once for not listening to Scholes' advice, but that doesn't seem to be deterring boss Ruben Amorim, who remains steadfast in his opinion that Mbeumo and a new striker are needed more than Eze.

United have already missed out on their top striker target after Liam Delap decided to join Chelsea but remain hopeful of landing of Viktor Gyokeres despite the striker's preference to go to Arsenal.

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