Paul Scholes reckons Manchester United securing Sandro Tonali would give the Premier League giants the league’s best midfielder. A midfield rebuild is anticipated at Old Trafford with Casemiro departing at the end of the season and Manuel Ugarte’s future unclear. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are among those being monitored by United.

Alongside these candidates is the 25-year-old Tonali, currently in his third campaign at Newcastle. The Italy international’s St James’ Park contract runs until the summer of 2029, and also includes a further 12-month extension. Yet the Magpies’ underwhelming league form – languishing in 11th place – has fuelled speculation about Tonali’s future and whether it truly lies in the North East. The midfielder regularly features amongst the best players in his role throughout the league, with Scholes previously declaring him superior to Arsenal’s Declan Rice.

Despite praising Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, Scholes selected Tonali when questioned about the league’s outstanding midfielder. “I love Sandro Tonali as well,” the United legend said on Sky Bet’s The Overlap earlier this season. He’s been brilliant. Very good. I would probably choose Tonali at this point.”

When pressed on his choice, Scholes added: “Yes, you’re going to say Declan Rice, but I think he’s better than Rice. I really like Rice, don’t get me wrong, I think he’s got everything.

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“Sometimes he takes a few too many touches of the ball and tries to look a bit more stylish than necessary. He can do everything but I just don’t think he does it enough. I prefer Tonali but they’re both good players.”

Throughout the January transfer window, Tonali’s representative, Giuseppe Riso, reportedly held discussions with Arsenal about a potential transfer and acknowledged that his client’s situation remained fluid.

Riso stated: “Newcastle are having a hard time letting go of Sandro, and he wants to lead the club to the Champions League.

“We’ll evaluate and decide what to do in the summer. These transfer discussions will take place later. We’ll see how the season ends and then we’ll decide what to do. There’s no preference at the moment. It’s still early.

“What we’re saying today won’t apply tomorrow. Newcastle couldn’t let him go now, and there’s no point in moving, especially since Sandro is very attached to the club.”

Qualifying for Champions League football seems crucial for any club hoping to secure Tonali’s signature. Michael Carrick has steered United in the right direction regarding this objective, though the battle for qualification through league standings promises to be fiercely competitive throughout the remainder of the campaign.