Manchester United made 'big mistakes' not signing 'proper known quality' Declan Rice and Harry Kane, says Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand criticised Manchester United for not pursuing deals to sign both Declan Rice and Harry Kane in the summer.

Both players completed big-money moves to Arsenal and Bayern Munich from West Ham and Tottenham respectively, and Scholes believes it would have been "easy" business to lure the England duo to Old Trafford.

“I think there were probably a couple of big mistakes in the summer,” the former United midfielder told TNT Sports ahead of The Red Devils' crunch match against Bayern Munich.

“I think the recruitment at Manchester United this year in the summer was the easiest thing it could ever have been.

“You’re thinking the likes of Harry Kane, £100 million probably, you get him. He would have come here.

“The other one was Declan Rice for £100 million. You’re buying proper known quality; the right characters, who know about this club and the country.

“They’re quality; I thought it was so easy.”

Scholes also alluded to Andre Onana’s struggles since completing a summer move from Inter Milan, but feels that the potential impact of Rice and Kane would have overshadowed any teething problems for the Cameroonian goalkeeper.

“The problem was the goalkeeper, and he [Erik ten Hag] did need to buy a goalkeeper. This one quite hasn’t worked out as they would have liked yet. You’ve still got to give him time, of course you have.

“But I think those two players are ready to go and proven quality. This Man United team would be so much better with those two.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Ferdinand, who feels that the personalities of both Rice and Kane would have added a settling influence on the dressing room.

“I think Manchester United needed character, resilience and an understanding of this league more than anything, more than talent.

“Those guys have talent in abundance don't get me wrong, but I think the overriding factor which we've seen this season, are the subplots that are around this club; most of it is off the pitch.

“These guys would have come in and been the guys that lead that in a better way, 100%. You see the way that they've walked into their new clubs. They're probably the best players in their two new clubs, performance-wise.”

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