Paul Scholes Urges Manchester United to Sign Christian Romero
Paul Scholes has never been shy of a bold opinion. This one might be his loudest yet.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the Manchester United legend urged his former club to rip up their defensive blueprint and build it around one of the Premier League’s most combustible characters: Christian Romero.
Scholes: “Go and sign Christian Romero”
For Scholes, United’s priorities are clear. The attack, in his eyes, was largely fixed last summer. The real issue sits behind it.
“I think they sorted out the forward areas last summer,” he said. “But I think they probably need two centre backs. You might laugh at this and I might get stick for this, but I would go and sign Christian Romero from Tottenham.”
That is not a throwaway line. Scholes doubled down, fully aware of the baggage that comes with the Argentina defender.
“I know he’s a nutter, I know he’s got disciplinary issues,” he admitted, “but he can be a very good centre half and someone that Michael Carrick could really calm down. They’re talking about 30 or 40 million quid for a player who has been centre half in a World Cup final.”
Romero’s blend of aggression, timing and high-wire defending has split opinion across the league. Scholes is clear where he stands. United, he believes, cannot afford to be picky.
“I know he’s got disciplinary issues but I would go and get him. I think they’re desperate for a centre-back, the current ones aren’t good enough.”
The message is blunt. In his view, United need leaders, not projects. World Cup pedigree, Premier League experience, and a price tag he considers reasonable for that profile – Scholes sees a deal there, if the club are brave enough to pursue it.
Wharton the answer in midfield
Scholes didn’t stop at the back line. He moved quickly into midfield, where he feels United have already missed one big chance.
In his ideal world, Sandro Tonali would have been the man to anchor the side. Instead, the Italian chose Tottenham, forcing a rethink.
“In addition to addressing the defence,” Scholes argued, United should pivot to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, a player he believes fits perfectly into the club’s midfield puzzle.
Wharton’s rise has been rapid. The young midfielder has already helped Palace lift both the FA Cup and the Conference League, stepping into big games with a maturity beyond his years. Scholes sees those qualities translating seamlessly into a United shirt, especially in the pivot role.
Wharton, though, will not come cheap. Palace have placed an £85m price tag on their playmaker, a figure that instantly turns any interest into a major statement of intent. Ambitious? Certainly. Unrealistic? Scholes isn’t having that.
Continuing on the podcast, he laid out his frustration in simple terms.
“I can’t believe they’re not trying to buy Adam Wharton,” he said. “Sandro Tonali would have been my first-choice but with him gone now, Adam Wharton looks perfect to me.”
Two signings. One fiery World Cup finalist at centre-back. One rising domestic star in midfield. In Scholes’ mind, that is the spine United need.
Whether the club’s hierarchy shares his appetite for risk – and for that level of spending – will define more than just a transfer window. It could shape the next phase of United’s identity.
