Paul Scholes Reveals His Dream Midfield Trio for Manchester United's Transfer Wishlist
Former Manchester United icon Paul Scholes evaluated the club's three primary midfield prospects for 2026. Although Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton emerged as his preferred choice over Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, Scholes also suggested several alternative approaches.
United's heritage is marked by exceptional midfielders. From Duncan Edwards's commanding presence in the 1950s, this distinguished tradition continues through Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Scholes himself.
Ruben Amorim's current setup features the naturally offensive-minded Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, whose contract expires next summer when he'll turn 34. Transfer speculation is intensifying as the January window approaches.
Among the expanding list of potential signings, three names - Baleba, Anderson and Wharton - emerge as frontrunners. Sky Sports asked Scholes to evaluate which member of this leading group deserves to carry forward Manchester United's midfield tradition.
3. Carlos Baleba
Scholes expressed the most reservations about the player United have pursued most aggressively. The Red Devils allegedly made official inquiries to Brighton regarding Baleba last summer but were firmly rejected. Scholes might have viewed that rejection favorably.
"Baleba is quite young," he commented about the 21-year-old. "In terms of ability, has he reached that level? I believe he's similar to a [Moisés] Caicedo type of player."
Caicedo is potentially the Premier League's finest midfielder currently and appears to justify every pound of the £115 million ($152 million) Chelsea invested to secure him from Brighton two seasons ago. However, Scholes wondered if this represents the profile United should target.
"He's performed excellently at Chelsea, without question," the former England star noted, "but is that the kind of player Manchester United requires? I have my doubts."
2. Elliot Anderson
Anderson's remarkable ascent has captured the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel alongside Scholes.
"Based on his England performances, Elliot Anderson has been the biggest surprise for me," United's former No. 18 praised. "I admired him during his Newcastle days, but I considered him more of an attacking midfielder, perhaps suited for the 8 or 10 position. I dislike using numbers, but he seems more like an 8 or 10.
"He's adapted to that England role and appears very competent, very elegant. Maintains possession excellently and will also play progressive passes."
Despite his attributes, Anderson falls just short of the top spot.
1. Adam Wharton
"I would likely choose Wharton," Scholes hesitantly decided. "I believe Wharton possesses slightly superior technical ability. That's difficult to say. I think his quality exceeds Baleba's.
"Baleba has greater mobility," Scholes continued metaphorically, "so that balances things somewhat. It's tight between Elliot Anderson and Wharton. I'd marginally favor Wharton."
Concerns remain for Scholes regarding the Crystal Palace creator. "Can he cover the ground effectively?" questioned a player who battled asthma throughout his career. "Old Trafford's an expansive pitch. It's genuinely large to navigate, and you require physical presence. You need mobility in that role."
Instead of Anderson, Wharton or Baleba, Scholes proposed a rather impractical answer to United's midfield puzzle. "Perhaps you require two Bruno Fernandes," he suggested.
"You need one Bruno Fernandes as the creator, and another to function as a No. 10 simultaneously."
Without access to cloning capabilities, Scholes identified a player already within Amorim's roster as an alternative option.
Scholes Identifies 'Most Frustrating' Element of Ruben Amorim's Management
Scholes has consistently championed Kobbie Mainoo. The fellow Manchester United academy product notably likened his countryman to Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane and disapproves of Amorim's hesitation to utilize the 20-year-old.
"Among the most frustrating aspects for me is Kobbie Mainoo's absence from this Manchester United squad," Scholes lamented.
"We witnessed his excellence 18 months, two years back, and somehow it hasn't materialized for him. The manager appears not to rate him highly, yet we all recognize his capabilities.
"However, the manager is simply preferring alternative options for whatever reason, and that's something he must address." Scholes personally struggles with Mainoo's exclusion, acknowledging his "disappointment" seeing an increasingly scarce homegrown talent relegated to the bench.
"He [Amorim] potentially doesn't have confidence in him [Mainoo] physically currently," Scholes speculated. "Casemiro isn't the most physical either, but he's experienced. He understands the position, having performed it for numerous years in an outstanding Real Madrid side, providing that expertise.
"Kobbie lacks that experience currently. I believe Kobbie, if he's to feature, requires playing in a three-man midfield, truly. Manchester United don't employ that system."