Paul Scholes convinced Ruben Amorim dropped transfer hint over £50.3m Spain star

Paul Scholes says Man Utd could ‘sell three or four players’ to sign him (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is convinced that Ruben Amorim dropped a transfer hint over Real Sociedad and Spain’s Martin Zubimendi.

The 26-year-old, thought to have a €60m (£50.3m) release clause, has long been linked with a move to fellow Premier League club Arsenal, with some reports indicating the Gunners have all-but already secured a deal.

Amorim spoke about the Spanish star in his pre-match interview ahead of United’s Europa League last-16 win over Real Sociedad on Thursday.

Quizzed about the inclusion of Zubimendi in Real Sociedad’s XI for the second leg, after he missed the first leg through illness, Amorim told TNT Sports: ‘He’s a top player that can change a team.

‘Especially in that position (defensive midfield) he’s one position that can read and block transitions.

Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.

‘He’s also the first guy in the build-up, I know the player really well, everybody knows he’s a top player that can change the team.’

Following Amorim’s comments, former United midfielder Scholes said: ‘From that interview, the manager quite likes Zubimendi!

Martin Zubimendi has long been linked with a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘If we sell three or four players we might be able to buy him but tonight’s a big night.’

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand recently urged the Gunners to forget about signing Zubimendi in the summer transfer window at the end of the season.

Discussing Zubimendi, Ferdinand told Rio Reacts: ‘They don’t need that player.’

Zubimendi rejected a move to Liverpool last summer with Manchester City also admirers of the midfielder, who replaced Rodri during last summer’s European Championship final to help Spain lift the trophy.

Man Utd are now set to face Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals (Picture: Getty)

Meanwhile, United ended up beating Real Sociedad 4-1 on Thursday night, progressing to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-2 victory on aggregate, with the Red Devils now set to face Lyon in the last eight.

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick in the match before Diogo Dalot added a fourth late-on in the showdown at Old Trafford.

Speaking after the match, United captain Fernandes told TNT Sports: ‘It’s all about winning at this club.

More Trending

‘We need to win games, and this competition there’s no other option.

‘We have a long way to go still, but we’re confident if we focus on every game we have ahead, we can win games.

‘It was good for us how quickly we reacted. We got level straight away, the penalty is a little bit unlucky but then we got ours from a great Casemiro ball.

‘We’re really happy with the performance and the win.’

Arrow MORE: Joe Cole names manager who has ‘most difficult job in Premier League’

Arrow MORE: How Premier League can land fifth Champions League spot tonight for next season

Click here to read article