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Paul Scholes has urged Manchester United to sign Tottenham Hotspur captain Christian Romero, despite the Argentine handing all three points to the Red Devils last weekend.
Man of the Match
Romero was arguably the Man of the Match in United’s 2-0 win over Spurs on Saturday afternoon – just for the wrong side.
The 27-year-old defender was given his marching orders by Michael Oliver in the 29th minute at Old Trafford after a reckless challenge on Casemiro. Prior to this point, the game was finely poised, with United slightly on top but neither side had yet created a clear chance on goal.
However, not for the first time in his career, and nor will it be the last, Romero’s moment of madness transpired to hand Michael Carrick‘s side an easy day at the office at the expense of his own.
Well-worked goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes put the game to bed, while lifting United to within three points of third-placed Aston Villa and five clear of Liverpool in sixth.
The first goal from the Cameroon international, in particular, was excellent as Fernandes found Kobbie Mainoo with a short corner, before the English midfielder flicked it back to the oncoming Mbeumo at the edge of the box to finish with aplomb.
Within the context of the push for Champions League qualification, with fifth enough to secure entry into Europe’s elite competition due to England’s coefficient, it was a huge win – with Romero playing a pivotal role.
Scholes “loves” Romero
Despite Romero’s costly mistake, Scholes maintains he “loves” the Argentina international as a player, believing the United dressing room would benefit from his “character”.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football Podcast, the legendary midfielder said: “Do you know what? I love him. I love watching him play football.
“He’s p*ssed off at Spurs, isn’t he? He doesn’t want to be there. He’s having a go at the crowd, he’s having a go at the board. I think his has checked out a little bit.
“I would love him at Manchester United. I just love his character,” Scholes concludes.
Spurs boss Thomas Frank came to the defence of his captain in the aftermath of Saturday’s match, insisting Romero is a “leader” for the Lilywhites while conceding he is still “learning every day”.
The Danish manager pointed to the “passion and aggression” the former Atalanta defender, who moved to North London for £42.5 million in 2022, plays with as an explanation for his poor decision-making.
Final Thoughts
Romero is the type of player whose outstanding performances will always be curtailed by his outrageous mistakes. It would be equivalent to shooting yourself in the foot to pursue an expensive deal for the Tottenham man.
The fact that Scholes just watched the Argentine torpedo his side’s chances of getting anything from a crucial match, while wearing the captain’s armband, shows the former midfielder had better eyes on the pitch than he does as a pundit.
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