Kobbie Mainoo has already named dream Man United midfield partner after ‘£59m swap transfer’

Kobbie Mainoo has already named dream Man United midfield partner after ‘£59m swap transfer’

Kobbie Mainoo expressed his preferences for a Manchester United midfield partner, but even though INEOS had the opportunity to bring in a third player to strengthen that portion of the field, Mainoo’s desire could not come true.

According to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, former United target Joao Neves is close to completing a £59 million trade deal to join Paris Saint-Germain.

Renato Sanches is expected to return to Benfica in the opposite direction.

Neves is seen as Ugarte’s replacement in the French city, which allows PSG to proceed with their midfielder negotiations with Uruguay, knowing that a deal has already been made for the player who will replace Ugarte.

“I’d say Paul Scholes,” Mainoo told MUTV earlier this year when a fan asked who his dream midfield partner would be.

“Although there might not be a lot of defending between the two of us,” he laughed. “But, yeah, Scholes. Scholes – definitely.

“[Because of] everything. His passing, his movement, the way he could finish. His intelligence. Yes, he was a great player.”

However, sales will likely need to take place before meeting PSG’s £58million asking price for Ugarte.

Casemiro could be one of those, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, though the 32-year-old has started in each of United’s three pre-season friendlies.