Manchester United advised to sign Arsenal's £100 million star as Casemiro replacement

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes unexpectedly reverses stance, publicly urging the Red Devils to sign Declan Rice despite having previously criticized the Arsenal star multiple times.

Legend Manchester United, Paul Scholes, surprisingly "changes direction" by openly supporting his former club's pursuit of Declan Rice, a player he had criticized extensively in the past.

In his latest comments, Scholes admitted that Rice is the "dream piece" for the Red Devils' midfield in the summer transfer window. This marks a significant shift in the former midfielder's viewpoint, as he had previously repeatedly questioned the £100 million-plus price tag and the influence of the Arsenal star.

However, looking at the current state of Manchester United's squad, Scholes believes the team lacks a proper central midfielder who can control the game, recover possession, and provide balance. According to him, Rice possesses all of these qualities.

Speaking on the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes candidly stated: “I would choose Declan Rice. I know I've criticized him before, but Manchester United needs a player like that. They need a proper central midfielder.”

Not stopping there, the former English star also dismissed the notion that Manchester United no longer possesses sufficient appeal in the transfer market. He emphasized that any player or manager should consider Old Trafford a viable destination, despite the recent difficult period.

Conversely, Manchester United's need to strengthen their midfield has become more urgent than ever as Casemiro prepares to leave the club at the end of the season. This creates a significant void in both experience and caliber, forcing the management to swiftly seek a replacement of equivalent stature.

Although the Red Devils are also eyeing other names like Adam Wharton or Sandro Tonali, for Scholes, Rice remains the ideal choice if the club aims to return to the title race. The issue lies in the fact that Arsenal will certainly not easily let their key player depart, especially as they are fiercely competing for the championship with Manchester City.