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Alex Scott’s contract standoff should not prompt Man Utd mega-bid, Bryan Robson agrees

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Manchester United continue to be linked with Alex Scott following his contract rejection at Bournemouth, but club legend Bryan Robson has astutely explained why the Reds should steer clear.

Despite completed deals for two midfielders already this summer, Manchester United are still on the hunt for a further addition ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Andrey Santos joined from Chelsea, and Youri Tielemans signed after United triggered his £35m release clause at Aston Villa.

Although it has been suggested that United want a physical defensive midfielder as the next midfield signing, reports of Alex Scott joining from Bournemouth are not going away.

Alex Scott signs autographs after training with England
Photo by Leonardo Fernandez – The FA/The FA via Getty Images

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Bryan Robson urges Man Utd not to sign Alex Scott

For starters, nobody here is saying Scott isn’t a fantastic talent. There’s a reason why so many top teams are interested in his signature.

The biggest problem United have had with targets so far this summer is the prices being demanded for those players. Examples of that include Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes.

Those deals have hurt the rest of the market because English clubs – like Nottingham Forest – are using them as examples when setting demands for their own players.

Bournemouth are bound to demand a mega-money deal if they’re losing a prized asset such as Scott, but he isn’t exactly the profile of player United need right now.

Ideally, United’s next signing will be a combative defensive midfielder with technical qualities who can also cover lots of ground to support players like Kobbie Mainoo and Tielemans.

Former United captain Bryan Robson agrees with this, too.

Speaking to Hajper, Robson stressed that “Scott is too similar” to Kobbie Mainoo and that United need to sign a reliable defensive midfield player.

“Alex Scott is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo, for me. He’s a player who I think has got a great attitude but I feel we need a more reliable defensive midfield player rather than a player like Scott who will want to get out all the time. Manchester United’s back four needs more protection in front of it.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what United actually do because I’ll be interested in what Michael Carrick and the scouts at the club have planned and who they think is good enough to play for United and to take over from Casemiro next season.”

The same criticisms are mentioned whenever United are linked to Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, who was unlucky not to have been called up to the England squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Furthermore, Scott’s links to United may intensify over the coming hours or days, especially after his latest contract rejection at Bournemouth – with Sky Sports citing United as being a potential suitor for the talented 22-year-old.

That’s why it will be intriguing to see who United sign next in midfield because right now it looks like a jigsaw missing one piece.

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Everton v Manchester United - Premier League
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Mark Leech Sports Photography/Getty Images

How many contract offers has Alex Scott turned down at Bournemouth?

Scott is making his intentions clear at Bournemouth.

The Cherries may want to keep Scott for another season, but the player’s entourage has informed the club that they want to move on after rejecting a second contract proposal.

This will put multiple top Premier League clubs on red alert.

Their interest may dwindle if Bournemouth sets a ridiculous asking price, as we saw happen with Sandro Tonali at Newcastle and Fernandes at West Ham.