Paul Scholes says he wanted Manchester United to sign Spurs summer signing
By Tom Vinall
Pundit and Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has admitted he'd have liked to have seen United sign Spurs striker Dominic Solanke over the summer.
In the aftermath of Spurs' 3-0 win over Manchester United last Sunday, whilst on punditry duty, Scholes said to Premier League productions, “I just think other teams have more [up top than Manchester United], especially the teams at the top end of the league.
Even Tottenham, you look at Solanke going for as much as he did. I think ‘I wouldn’t mind having Solanke up front for us instead of what we have actually got’.
I don’t think they have addressed that centre forward area of the pitch. They are trying to do it with bits and bobs. Taking gambles really with young players. I am not sure they will come good.”
There were eyebrows raised when Manchester United instead opted for 22-year old Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, when their other striker, Rasmus Hojlund, is only 21 himself - with several people saying they needed a more experienced, proven, striker. Someone just like Solanke, who has more goals than the aforementioned United pair combined so far this season.
Ange Postecoglu has made it clear that Solanke was his first choice target for the centre-forward position, whilst he was hitting out at critics that had criticised him after just three games in a Spurs shirt. The Spurs manager also said that whilst they also considered Ivan Toney, who ended up in Saudi Arabia, they did not pursue a deal because of Solanke being the number one target
You can most definitely see why. Not just the goals, but the pressing, movement, link-up play, all fundamentals needed for a striker in an Ange team, are traits that Solanke has in abundance. His good form in all of the above areas have lead to the 27-year old being rewarded with a call up to the England national team under Lee Carsley.