Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a shareholder of Manchester United, has selected Paul Scholes as the club legend that the current squad would most benefit from having.
Last month, Ratcliffe successfully acquired a 28% share in United and has since extensively discussed his ambitious goals for the team with the public.
His most recent appearance was on the Gérard Thomas Cycling Club podcast, where he covered a variety of subjects, including stadium designs and the reasons Kylian Mbappe isn’t included in transfer plans.
Ratcliffe, a lifelong United supporter, was also questioned about which former player he would retain on Erik ten Hag’s squad.
He answered, “Paul Scholes is the one I’d bring in.”
“I believe that player is the one they are missing the most. They have two players, Casemiro and [Kobbie] Mainoo, who can play defensive midfield but aren’t Roy Keane. However, neither Paul Scholes nor [Andres] Iniesta are on their team.”
Between 1994 and 2013, Scholes played 718 games for United in two stints, scoring 155 goals and taking home 25 trophies. He is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his time and has earned 66 caps for England.
When questioned about who he thinks is United’s greatest player ever, Ratcliffe reserved his admiration for two giants in particular.
“Who was the best player to ever play for United? Most likely Ronaldo, I suppose. Cristiano Ronaldo, I believe,” he continued.
“George Best was, I suppose, probably the most naturally gifted player I have ever seen play football.”
Ronaldo and Best are two of just four players—along with Denis Law and Sir Bobby Charlton—to have won the Ballon d’Or when they were United players.
