Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes the club missed a huge opportunity when Cole Palmer left Manchester City for Chelsea in 2023.
Cole Palmer has since developed into one of the Premier League’s standout attacking players. The England international had a brilliant 2023/24 campaign for Chelsea, finishing with 27 goals and 15 assists in 48 appearances. He has started this season on a high again.
The interesting part for Manchester United supporters is that Cole Palmer has openly been a childhood fan of the club, despite coming through City’s academy.
Scholes thinks United should have moved for Cole Palmer
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes admitted United should have at least tried to sign Cole Palmer when he became available.
“Looking back, United should have a sniff definitely, but we’re talking about rivals.”
“He’s a United fan, but were City really going to sell to United? I don’t think so, and why would you?”
That hasn’t stopped the possibility of Cole Palmer eventually wearing the red shirt being discussed.
Former United midfielder Nicky Butt suggested that a move could still happen at some point, even if Chelsea currently have no reason to consider selling their star.
“I could see him going from Chelsea to United eventually,” Butt said.
Scholes didn’t dismiss the idea.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Palmer’s rise has made the missed opportunity look even bigger. Manchester United could have potentially signed him before he established himself at Chelsea, but City choosing not to strengthen a direct rival made that scenario difficult to imagine.
Cole Palmer remains a Chelsea player for now. But with Scholes and Butt both open to the idea of him eventually ending up at Old Trafford, the England star’s name may continue to appear in United transfer conversations.
