Manchester United have been linked to Alex Scott and Manu Kone as the third and final midfield signing of the summer transfer window.
The signings of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans kicked off Manchester United’s midfield overhaul, but Ineos want one more midfielder to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad.
According to reports, United are prepared to bid for Manu Kone, but if the Red Devils prefer a Premier League-proven target, then Alex Scott has rejected a contract offer from Bournemouth and could be available.
Would Roma’s Manu Kone be a good signing for Man Utd?
How much is a reasonable fee to pay?
Alex Scott vs Manu Kone statistical comparison
United have already added two on-the-ball technicians into their midfield in the shape of Santos and Tielemans. A different profile is needed for the third midfielder.
The Red Devils need a highly athletic, defensive-minded midfielder to complete the rebuild and address the current weaknesses in Carrick’s options.
The following table is a statistical breakdown from Scoutlab that outlines how Alex Scott and Manu Kone compare to central midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues. The numbers represent their percentile in that category compared to their peers.
| Alex Scott | 2025/26 stat comparison | Manu Kone |
| 64 | Final product | 72 |
| 72 | Shooting | 57 |
| 59 | Creation | 83 |
| 76 | Crossing | 20 |
| 66 | Set pieces | 29 |
| 55 | Receiving | 58 |
| 69 | Dribbling | 83 |
| 44 | Progression | 71 |
| 14 | Passing accuracy | 90 |
| 84 | Active defending | 26 |
| 68 | Aerial | 45 |
The statistical comparison reveals some key findings.
- Scott is more defensively capable than Manu Kone
- Kone is safer in possession
- Scott is better in aerial and ground duels
- Kone is more creative and progressive
FotMob reinforce the idea that Scott is more defensively strong than Kone, with the Bournemouth midfielder winning 185 duels and making 387 defensive contributions in 2025/26 – enough to put him in the top 5% of midfielders.
WHO will be Man Utd’s THIRD midfielder signing to go with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans? Who do you want?
Which midfielder do you think would fit United's rebuild best? What do we need next?
Alex Scott is the right fit for Manchester United plan
If it is between Scott and Kone for the third midfield signing at United, then the answer must be the former.
Scott has Premier League experience and is the better profile to complete the rebuild. Defensively, his statistics dominate Kone, who is too similar to Tielemans and Santos.
Scott is also the younger option at 22 years old compared to 25 year old Kone. The Bournemouth midfielder will be more expensive, though.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claims Scott is valued at £80m, while Kone could be sold for £50m or less this summer.
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