Paul Scholes Calls on Manchester United to Pursue £75m Newcastle Defender Amid Luke Shaw's Challenges

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged his former club to make a late bid for Newcastle United's young defender Lewis Hall, who is valued at around £75 million. This call comes after watching Luke Shaw struggle defensively in their recent Premier League matches.

Concerns Over Defensive Stability

Despite United's impressive 5-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford, Scholes expressed doubts about the team's defensive solidity. On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, he was straightforward about the weaknesses shown, saying the team could have been two or three goals down in the first half alone.

"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 said. "What we saw yesterday sums up what you’ll get from United. They could have been two or three down but were devastating in the second half."

Potential Price Tag for Hall

Hall has been a long-standing target for Manchester United, but Newcastle have remained firm in keeping him. However, sources indicate that the Magpies might reconsider if presented with an offer exceeding £75 million. Scholes highlighted Shaw’s struggles against Ipswich winger Abdul Fatawu as a reason for urgency in signing reinforcements.

"That will have been going on for months, not just the last couple of days," Scholes remarked. "Maybe Shaw’s performance yesterday will push Michael Carrick to say, ‘We need him.’ Hall seems like the most realistic option available."

Rio Ferdinand Offers Support for Shaw

While Scholes advocates for immediate action, Rio Ferdinand has defended Shaw despite his poor showing against Ipswich. On his YouTube channel, Ferdinand reminded fans that Shaw has been among United’s most dependable players over the past year.

"Some fans say 'Shaw, get rid!' but over the last year, he’s been one of our most consistent performers," Ferdinand said. "If we want a replacement, we should find someone to develop gradually rather than rush into removing Shaw."

United Considering Other Options

With the transfer window closing soon, Manchester United are exploring alternatives if acquiring Hall proves too costly. Targets reportedly include Brighton's Ferdi Kadioglu, Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen, and Jorge Salinas from Racing Santander. A loan deal could be the most practical approach, considering the significant summer investment already made in midfield.

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