Paul Scholes thinks popular £85m Man Utd duo are leaving after 'hearing noises'

Paul Scholes believes Manchester United plan to sell Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho this summer to raise funds for new signings. The Red Devils icon has expressed his concern at the prospect of both academy graduates leaving to boost Ruben Amorim's budget in a crucial transfer window.

Amorim needs to upgrade multiple positions in his squad after inheriting a mess left in the wake of Erik ten Hag's sacking in November. The Portuguese head coach will see out what is almost guaranteed to go down as United's worst-ever Premier League campaign in history. However, similar levels of struggle won't be accepted next term, applying pressure to get recruitment right this summer.

With United at risk of missing out on European football altogether, Amorim's initial budget before player sales will be limited.

And Scholes is worried, based on what he has heard, that his former club will move to make a quick buck on high-value starlets Garnacho, 20, and Mainoo, 19.

"It has to be a major concern. Where's the money coming from for new signings? We saw those interviews with Sir Jim, and they didn't make good reading," Scholes told Premier League Productions.

"It doesn't look like Ruben Amorim will get a war chest to go to war with. It doesn't feel like that.

"I get the impression, and I could be wrong, but I think they might sell the two young players. I think they might sell Mainoo and Garnacho.

"Maybe they sell them this summer. The Mainoo one would hurt. They both would. Garnacho came later, but Mainoo has been at the club since he was a kid.

"He had a brilliant season last year, and it makes the academy system look bad if a player like him can't make it and they have to sell him.

"I hope I'm wrong. I hope they don't do that, but the noises I hear it is a big concern."

United are likely to raise funds by offloading current loan players Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia permanently.

Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans and Tom Heaton will all leave as free agents once their contracts expire in July.

Yet, given the magnitude of the rebuild Amorim faces, further sales should be required, and Garnacho and Mainoo have two of the highest values in the squad (a combined £85m on Transfermarkt).

Amorim will ultimately decide on both youngsters' futures with their suitability for his 3-4-3 system in mind. There could be better fits elsewhere.