Paul Scholes spots Ruben Amorim hint as Man Utd plot Arsenal transfer hijack

Paul Scholes reckons Ruben Amorim would like to sign Martin Zubimendi after his comments about the Real Sociedad midfielder in midweek.

Zubimendi, 26, has been linked with whole host of top Premier League teams over the last 12 months and came close to joining Liverpool in the summer before deciding against the move at the eleventh hour.

It emerged back in January that Arsenal is likely to be Zubimendi's destination in the summer with a deal close.

And Scholes thinks Manchester United would also like to sign the playmaker after listening to Amorim wax lyrical about the Spain international on Thursday night.

"He's a top player that can change a team, especially in that position," Amorim said before United's Europa League win. "He's one position that can read and block transitions. 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."

After listening to Amorim on TNT Sports, Scholes speculated: "From that interview, the manager quite likes Zubimendi. If we sell three or four players we might be able to buy him but tonight's a big night."

Zubimendi is known to have a £51million release clause in his contract. United are likely to be in the market for midfielders with question marks over the future of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, but their financial situation is bleak.

Amorim has broadly worked with the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag with Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven the only senior signings made by the club in January.

The club's chief executive, Omar Berrada, insisted Amorim would have cash to spend this summer before Thursday night's Europa League success - even if they fail to qualify for Europe altogether.

"We speak to Ruben [Amorim] very frequently. Ruben has a good relationship with Jason Wilcox. They both share the vision of how they want to see the team playing."

He continued: "It is about planning properly for the summer transfer window and having a clear idea of what players we want to bring in. We're making some big efforts to get us in the best financial position. Even if we're outside of Europe - I think we will be in a position to invest in the squad.

"Our ambition is to win tonight and win the Europa League and be in the Champions League which is where I think we belong."