Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
UNITED SHOULD HAVE GIVEN NO.9 SHIRT TO KANE OR HAALAND
Scholes says club’s transfer dealings have failed to hit target
PAUL SCHOLES believes Manchester United should have tried to sign Harry Kane or Erling Haaland this summer.
They landed veteran striker Edinson Cavani on deadline day, but Scholes insists a goal sc orer i n hi s prime should have been the target.
He also feels Anthony Martial “conned” the Reds into b eli e v in g h e c oul d operate as an out-and-out centre-forward.
“The forwards are exceptionally talented lads, we al l know that,” sai d Scholes.
“But I think the problem with United’s forwards is none of them is an actual centre-forward.
“Martial almost conned us into thinking he was one towards the end of l ast season, because he scored so many goals and he was good.
“He’s started the season quite poor again , which makes you think he isn’t.
“So it’s misleading, which is why Ik I kept saying i we need d a top-class No.9 – Kane or Haaland. I think Haaland is sensational. I think he will be up there with Ronaldo and Messi, from what I’ve seen so far.
That’s why I never felt Jadon Sancho was the right type of player, because we’ve got three of that type of player already.
“So to spend £100million. . I didn’t think it was right anyway, so I wasn’t that disappointed.
“Look, he’s a good player, don’t get me wrong, he’s a brilliant player and would probably improve any team, b but I Ij just didn’t did ’ think hi k there h was the need for him this year.”
Cavani, 33, signed a oneyear deal – with the option of another 12 months – on deadline day after leaving Paris Saint-germain in June.
Scholes, who has taken temporary charge at Salford City following the sacking of Graham Alexander, believes Cavani should have been signed on loan and has doubts about whether the Uruguayan will be a success.
“Well, we’ ll have to wait and see won’t we,” Scholes tol ld d th h e S Stadium di Astro A website.
“Obviously, in his day, he’s been a top quality centreforward. There’s no doubt about that.
“But h e’s 33-years-ol d , looked like he was going to retire. He’s not played a lot of football for PSG last season.
“Five, six years ago, yeah, he’s a great signing, he’ll take us on to that next le vel possibly. But I just don’t think he’ll take us to the next level now.
“But that’s what United seems to be now, when you think of the forwards we’ve had. I think Cavani should be a l oan signing. i i If you’re ’ struggling without a centreforward, it should be a two or three month loan signing, just to get through a sticky p eriod , simi l ar to what Henrik Larsson did.
“A brilliant, brilliant centreforward, 33, 34 years of age, he just filled a little gap for us, which was exactly what we needed.
“I see Cavani as that kind of person, not at 33 coming to sign a two-year contract.
“I find it very strange. But he won’t, he’ll be loving it. I’m sure he will.”
United confirmed Cavani will not be in the squad for Saturday’s trip to Newcastle after having to isolate for two weeks following his arrival in the UK from France.
He will be available to face his old club PSG i n the C h a mpi o n s L e a g u e o n Tuesday, when United travel to Paris.
Martial will miss the visit to Tyneside as he starts a three-match ban for his red card in the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham.