Manchester United’s £80m Midfield Target Is Still on the Table. Should Carrick Pull the Trigger?

Alex Scott is still very much on Manchester United’s radar. And Bournemouth isn’t exactly making it easy.

According to a recent report from The Sun, the Red Devils are keeping tabs on the 22-year-old midfielder even as the Cherries hold firm on their £80 million valuation. That’s a hefty price tag for a player who just wrapped up a solid but not spectacular season: four goals and one assist across 39 appearances in all competitions.

But here’s why United keeps circling back. Scott is one of those guys who does the grunt work. He tackles, he reads the game, he wins the ball back and then moves it forward. He’s not flashy, but he’s effective. And at 22, he’s already shown he can hang in the Premier League week in and week out.

What Scott Brings to the Table

He plays box-to-box primarily, but he’s versatile enough to slide into an attacking midfield role or even out on the right wing if needed. That flexibility matters for a squad that’s still figuring out its identity under Michael Carrick. Scott also has a knack for hitting from distance and threading passes through tight windows in the final third. He’s not a pure playmaker, but he’s dangerous enough that defenses can’t just ignore him.

Perhaps the biggest selling point: he’s already acclimated to the league. No adjustment period. No wondering whether he can handle the physicality. He’s been doing it for Bournemouth for the better part of two years now.

The Contract Complication

Scott’s current deal at the Vitality Stadium runs through the summer of 2028. That gives Bournemouth all the leverage. They don’t have to sell this summer, and they know United might be desperate enough to pay up. Carrick’s midfield has looked a little short on energy at times, and Scott would bring exactly that — dynamism, pressing, and a willingness to run all day.

There’s also the potential factor. At 22, Scott hasn’t peaked yet. If he develops the way some scouts think he can, he could become one of the better central midfielders in the league. United has a history of waiting too long on young talent and watching them go elsewhere. This might be the summer they decide not to make that mistake again.

The question now is whether United will meet the asking price or try to haggle. Bournemouth has shown they’re willing to hold out for what they want. If United drags their feet, someone else might swoop in. The transfer window still has plenty of time left, but the clock is ticking on this one.