Paul Scholes insists that he is ‘excited’ with Manchester United’s signings ahead of the new season and has called for more additions to the squad before the end of the transfer window.
Erik ten Hag’s side have already signed 23-year-old Joshua Zirkzee for £36.5M from Bologna and 18-year-old Leny Yoro for £52M from Lille and Scholes believes that with more experience in the ranks, United fans have plenty to look forward to.
‘I’m really excited for the new season. It’s difficult to tell because the two signings are young players - especially the lad from France (Yoro) but he’s got plenty of time to bed himself in before the season starts,’ said Scholes.
‘The big thing for United is keeping players from last season fit. It was a real struggle to have a full squad and some of the performances last season showed the impact that had. But if these two signings are right and we get a bit more experience in with them, then I’m hoping for a good season,’ Scholes added.
United jetted off to the USA this week as part of their pre-season commitments but Zirkzee is one of several players who have been granted some time off due to their involvement in Euro 2024 and Copa America, with the majority expected to return by early August.
But Scholes insisted more new additions are needed to avoid a crisis similar to the one seen at the end of last season that saw Casemiro deployed at centre-back
Kobbie Mainoo is another one who was not included in Ten Hag’s 29-man tour squad after his starring role for England at Euro 2024 and Scholes stressed just how big a role he will play in the new season.
‘I’ve said this before (about Mainoo). I’ve never seen a kid come on the scene and be so calm and relaxed and just so brilliant at everything he does,’ said Scholes, who was speaking at the LIV Golf Pro-Am where he played alongside the likes of Ben Foster, Sam Curran and Lawrence Dallaglio.
‘He’s (Mainoo’s) only 30 or 40 games into his first-team career and then to go and start for England at the Euros and be brilliant. It just bodes well for the future. The kid is an amazing talent and we need to look after him.’