Man Utd
Scholes urges Manchester United to sell eight players and reshuffle defence
Scholes urges Manchester United to move on from eight players naming several defensive departures.
Paul Scholes has called on Manchester United to move on from as many as eight players this summer, identifying a mixture of established figures and emerging names as possible departures. He singled out Leny Yoro as a surprising candidate among those he believes should leave.
Defence was the most prominent area of concern. Scholes backed Matthijs de Ligt to start but said doubts remain over Harry Maguire despite the centre back having recently signed a new contract. “Look, I think he’s been really good and he’s brought himself back from the dead,” Scholes conceded. “I think he’s been sensational, what he’s done. I’m so, so pleased for him, but I’m thinking about a United team you want to win the league and the Champions League, and that’s where United should be aiming.
“I’m not sure you’d do that with Maguire, unless you’ve got someone like a Rio [Ferdinand] next to him, then possibly, yeah.”
On the flanks, Scholes suggested a clearout among fullbacks. Diogo Dalot avoided criticism in the conversation, but Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui were earmarked for exit. “They brought him in as a wingback and he’s not really played there,” Scholes said of Dorgu. “I’d probably sell. I’m not sure what position he is. Again, if you keep him, then he’s just a squad player.”
On Mazraoui, Scholes added: “Sell. I don’t know where he fits in. He’s been like a right-sided center half and they don’t play with three center halves any more. If there are three center halves, then you’d probably have him as one of five or six, but I think it’s probably time to let him go now.”
Luke Shaw won praise and a tough conclusion. “When he was playing consistently, I don’t think there is a better left back in the world , not just Europe,” Scholes said. “But if you’re asking me now—and he’s done alright appearance-wise this year—I’d sell him. He doesn’t play enough games.”
Midfield was described as a priority following Casemiro’s exit on a free transfer. “Another one who’s turned his fortunes, but they need strengthening in that position,” Scholes said of the Brazilian. He added of Manuel Ugarte: “I think he’ll go.” On Mason Mount he said: “I’d probably sell him—and I like him, he’s a great footballer,” and “But he’s never going to play in front of Bruno Fernandes. I’m not sure what other position he could play and he doesn’t play enough games.”
Scholes also suggested unsettled striker Joshua Zirkzee could leave after limited minutes and reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
Scholes’s full verdict listed the following: Senne Lammens Keep; Diogo Dalot Keep; Noussair Mazraoui Sell; Matthijs de Ligt Keep; Harry Maguire Sell; Lisandro Martínez Keep; Patrick Dorgu Sell; Leny Yoro Sell; Luke Shaw Sell; Mason Mount Sell; Bruno Fernandes Keep; Casemiro Release; Manuel Ugarte Sell; Kobbie Mainoo Keep; Matheus Cunha Keep; Joshua Zirkzee Sell; Amad Diallo Keep; Bryan Mbeumo Keep.
Arsenal
United’s Lewis-Skelly interest gains new angle amid Arsenal’s summer plans
United’s Lewis-Skelly interest grows as Arsenal weigh sales to finance summer transfer moves.
Manchester United are said to be weighing up a move for Arsenal teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, with his future now viewed through the wider lens of Arsenal’s own transfer ambitions this summer.
United’s interest in Lewis-Skelly first surfaced last March, when the youngster was still on the periphery. That attention has returned, and The Independent reports that it could become more serious if Arsenal manage to complete a deal for either Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães or Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr.
Guimarães may be the more significant of the two from United’s perspective. His arrival would add another obstacle for Lewis-Skelly at Arsenal, while his departure could also make Newcastle even less inclined to sell any more of their key players this season. United had already been linked with Lewis Hall as they looked to address the left-back position, but their attention may now tilt towards Arsenal’s academy graduate instead.
That role is a pressing issue at Old Trafford. Last season, three different coaches selected the same player at left back in every Premier League match: Luke Shaw. At 31, and 13 years on from his top-flight debut, Shaw completed the first league season of his career in which he started every game.
It is unlikely to happen again. United’s schedule was unusually light last season, with only 40 matches in total, but the coming campaign will bring at least eight additional games in the Champions League alone. Michael Carrick will also want a stronger showing than last season’s early exits in both domestic cups.
Shaw will need protecting from overload, yet United’s options remain thin. Carrick appears to view Patrick Dorgu as a winger rather than a defender, leaving Harry Amass, who has four Premier League starts, as the only other natural left back.
Lewis-Skelly, also 19, already has more senior experience, with 20 Premier League starts and 15 in the Champions League. His versatility adds to the appeal, having begun as a midfielder in Arsenal’s youth teams before impressing alongside Declan Rice in last season’s Champions League semifinal and final.
Arsenal, meanwhile, may have reasons to consider sales of their own. Mikel Arteta wants more after last season’s title success, but the club must also manage the cost of major additions. With Lewis-Skelly arriving through Hale End for $0, any fee would count as pure profit. The same logic applies to Ethan Nwaneri, another 19-year-old who could be moved on to help fund new arrivals.
Atlético Madrid
Mbeumo leads United past Atlético as Mount and Lacey also stand out
Mbeumo scored twice as United beat Atlético, with Mount and Lacey also impressing in Stockholm.
Manchester United made it two preseason wins in a row on Saturday, edging Atlético Madrid 2-1 at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm in a match that offered Michael Carrick several useful signs. The result itself may matter less than the context, but against strong opposition and with a competitive lineup, United had enough to take from the performance.
Bryan Mbeumo was the decisive figure. After Shea Lacey was fouled in the area, the Cameroon international converted a penalty in the 53rd minute. He then struck the winner 21 minutes later, reacting quickest to a deflected ball in the box, resisting pressure from the goalkeeper and lifting a close-range finish into the roof of the net. It was a reminder that his influence went well beyond the two goals.
Mbeumo looked lively throughout, registering the joint-most shots on the pitch while also creating chances and sending in dangerous crosses. His pace, direct running and willingness to commit defenders repeatedly unsettled Atlético, a side widely recognised for its defensive discipline. If he sustains that level, there is reason to expect a far stronger 2026-27 than his debut campaign.
Mason Mount also delivered a noteworthy performance. For a player whose United spell has been interrupted by injuries and inconsistency, he was heavily involved, creating three chances, playing 13 passes into the final third, completing four accurate long balls and finishing with a 100% dribble success rate. He also added three important defensive actions, even if his work in physical duels was less convincing.
Shea Lacey continued to strengthen his case for more involvement under Carrick. Used as United’s No. 10, the 19-year-old pressed aggressively, worked tirelessly without the ball and remained a constant threat in attack. He also handled the physical side well against a demanding Atlético side.
Carrick is still not selecting his strongest XI, and this was another experimental lineup, but the display still gave him several encouraging individual performances to consider.
Juventus
Zirkzee’s United Path Looks Clearer as Juventus Move Away
Zirkzee’s United future is clearer, with Juventus now looking unlikely to move after summer spending.
Joshua Zirkzee’s immediate future is starting to take shape, and a move to Juventus now appears highly unlikely.
The 25-year-old has produced useful moments at Manchester United, but he has not fully settled into a defined role. Last season also worked against him, with United playing only 40 matches in all competitions. With no European football and early exits from domestic cups, there simply were not enough minutes to spread across the squad.
That picture changes in 2026/27. United are guaranteed at least eight more matches because of the Champions League league phase, with the possibility of several further fixtures beyond that. The demands on the squad will rise sharply, and that alters the context around Zirkzee’s situation.
Juventus had been linked with interest earlier this week, but their own business makes that pursuit difficult to imagine. The Turin club lost Dušan Vlahović at the end of June after no new contract was agreed with the Serbian striker. Since then, Fabrizio Romano has reported that a deal for Randal Kolo Muani is close to completion. The loan with obligation to buy would eventually cost an estimated $51.4 million (€45 million), a figure that underlines the club’s finances and the reality that payment is being pushed into the future.
Juve have also already committed $45.7 million (€40 million) on Loïs Openda as part of his loan from RB Leipzig. Openda has since gone on loan to Lyon for $4 million (€3.5 million) after scoring only once in Serie A last season. Patrick Berger of Sky Sport Germany also reported on Wednesday that a deal for Bayer Leverkusen winger Kerim Alajbegović, starting at $37.7 million (€33 million), is in the “final stages.”
Against that backdrop, there seems little room for another major move.
The Athletic reported this week that Manchester United are “open to selling” Zirkzee, which is not the same as actively pushing him out. Ajax interest is not expected to develop after two other signings, while two unnamed Premier League clubs have made enquiries. The window closes on Sept. 1.
Zirkzee has often looked like a player whose role has been misunderstood since arriving at Manchester United. He is a versatile forward, not merely the physical centre-forward some assume. He prefers to drop into build-up play, use his close control, and create from deeper positions. That was evident last Friday, when he scored one and assisted another in the preseason win over Rosenborg.
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