Paul Scholes Urges Manchester United to Pursue £75m Newcastle Defender Amid Luke Shaw's Struggles

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has strongly recommended that the club make a late attempt to sign Lewis Hall from Newcastle United. This comes after observing difficulties faced by Luke Shaw in recent Premier League matches.

Concerns Over Defensive Performance

Despite United’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, Scholes was critical of the defensive setup. On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, he remarked that the team’s first-half display could have easily seen them fall behind by multiple goals. He said, "I think United would have taken going 1-0 down, the way they played in the first half. It could have been two or three." Scholes added that while the second half was strong, the defense showed worrying signs.

Potential £75m Transfer for Hall

Lewis Hall, 21, has long been on United’s radar, but Newcastle have been reluctant to sell one of their key young players. Rumors suggest that a bid around £75 million might persuade Newcastle to negotiate. Scholes believes Shaw’s recent struggles against Ipswich winger Abdul Fatawu demonstrate why Michael Carrick should push for reinforcements immediately. He stated, "That will have been going on for months... Shaw getting done yesterday like he did might be what makes Carrick say, ‘We need him.’" Scholes feels Hall is among the few viable options currently available.

Rio Ferdinand Defends Shaw

While Scholes is urging swift action, former defender Rio Ferdinand took a more patient view. On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand acknowledged Shaw’s poor performance but highlighted the left-back’s consistency over the past year. He said, "Shaw, over the last year, has been one of our most consistent performers." Ferdinand suggested that rather than rushing to replace Shaw, United should find a player to gradually take over the role.

Other Left-Back Options Being Considered

With the transfer deadline near, Manchester United are exploring alternatives if a deal for Hall doesn’t materialize. Reportedly, the club has scouted other candidates including Brighton’s Ferdi Kadioglu, Aston Villa’s Ian Maatsen, and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas. A loan move may be more likely given the heavy spending on midfielders earlier this summer.

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