Scholes points out Solskjaer’s summer transfer mistake

Manchester United’s sale of Romelu Lukaku to Inter Milan without signing a ready-made replacement was a mistake, according to Paul Scholes.

Lukaku finally left Old Trafford for Inter for £74m on the final day of the Premier League transfer window after a long summer of speculation.

The 26-year-old Belgium striker hit 42 goals in 96 appearances for the club, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was happy to let the forward leave as he looks to engineer a United side with increased movement and pace.

Scholes though thinks United have made a mistake and he is not alone because John Hartson claimed as much last week.

“[United] obviously knew they were going to sell Lukaku at some point, but not to have a centre-forward lined up seems a mistake to me,” Scholes told talkSPORT at a pro-am BMW PGA Championship.

“Whether they did, whether it just dragged on too long from the club’s point of view, I don’t know.

“To go into a season without a centre-forward, when it’s a club known for its attacking style, and probably four centre-forwards in its heyday, so to go in there with Rashford and Martial who you’re not quite sure… are they left wingers? Are they centre-forwards? We don’t know, but I’m sure it’ll get sorted.”

Asked about whether Rashford could take the no.9 jersey, Scholes added: “It’s hard to say, I just don’t know [Rashford’s best position]. I think he’s good from the left.

“Originally when he was a young lad I thought he was definitely a centre-forward. I thought he had awareness and the movement to be a centre-forward. But I look at him now and I’m not sure he’s got the composure for that.

“I think his best games are when he comes from the left-hand side. But I think that’s the same with Martial as well, they’re both very similar players.

“If you ask them, I’d say they probably both want to play centre-forward, but I think they’re both better from the left-hand side.”