Scholes names ‘tarnished’ star ready to replace Casemiro as ex-Man Utd man talks up Red Devils bidder

Man Utd legend Paul Scholes thinks Scott McTominay is ready to step into Casemiro’s shoes while the Brazilian serves his suspension.

Casemiro still has three games of his four-match ban to serve after being sent off for the second time this season in the Red Devils’ 0-0 draw against Southampton.

The Brazilian has already served one match of his ban by sitting out the 3-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Fulham at Old Trafford before the international break.

Casemiro has been in incredible form for Man Utd this term with many crediting him as one of the signings of the season in the Premier League.

McTominay is an option to replace Casemiro over the next three matches, especially after he scored four goals in two matches for Scotland over the international break, with Scholes calling the Man Utd midfielder a “top class player”.

When asked on the Webby & O’Neill YouTube channel whether he expects McTominay to start United’s next match, Scholes said: “I do, yes.

“Whether Eriksen is back as well… I don’t think he is not too far away, is he? But you would have thought with Casemiro being out that Scott is the perfect choice to come in for him. He will have come back with loads of confidence and he is a really talented player.

“He probably got tarnished a little bit with the old McTominay-Fred midfield partnership that probably hasn’t done him any favours. But he hasn’t moaned about it and he has just got on with his job.

“He is a top class player, Scott, and I think if he just relaxes into that position where he knows he can be successful, it can be a big few weeks for him now. People have been talking about him leaving the club and I hope he doesn’t.

“I hate seeing homegrown talent leaving the club, to be honest with you, but sometimes it has to happen. As I say, it is a big few weeks for him now, and if he can come into the team and make it look as if Casemiro isn’t missed, then, hopefully, he will still be with us.”

Man Utd are currently in the middle of a potential takeover with a number of parties, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sheikh Jassim, making revised bids of around £5bn for the Premier League club.

However, reports have indicated that they are still falling short of the Glazer family’s £6bn asking price.

Former Man Utd midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, who knows Nice owner Ratcliffe through his time playing at the French club, has praised the INEOS founder for being a “gentleman” whenever he’s dealt with the 70-year-old.

Schneiderlin told the Daily Express: “His brother was very involved in the club in my first season but then took a step back, but when we saw Jim Ratcliffe, he was a gentleman. You don’t think he’s a billionaire.

“He is so normal, so nice and good. He came a few times to speak to us, especially last year before the final of the French Cup. It was clear he wanted the best for Nice. I know he is a Manchester United fan, so we will see what happens.”

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