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Paul Scholes highlights Ollie Watkins concern Ruben Amorim cannot ignore amid Manchester United links

Originally posted on HITC | By Adnan Riaz | Last updated Jul 2, 2025 8:36 AM ET

Paul Scholes’ one concern for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins is something that Ruben Amorim cannot overlook amid Manchester United being linked with the player.

Ollie Watkins has been linked with Manchester United recently and the Red Devils have had a past interest in signing the 29-year-old England international.

United are believed to have added Watkins to the list of potential strikers that they could target if Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund leaves Old Trafford this summer.

Rasmus Hojlund #11 of Manchester United looks on during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Manchester United at Santiago Bernabeu on March 18, 2025 in Madrid.

Ollie Watkins has been added to the Man Utd shortlist amid Rasmus Hojlund exit links

Watkins had previously signed a new long-term deal until June 2028 and Villa will not be keen on losing their star striker, holding out for a fee of no less than £60m.

The Villa ace has been with his current Premier League side since 2020 after he was signed from Brentford in a club-record deal at the time.

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Watkins has now made 223 appearances for Villa, and scored 87 goals and picked up 42 assists in that time.

Paul Scholes had his say on the Villa attacker after he watched him in action in a 0-0 Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road in October 2022.

This was a game in which Watkins was extremely wasteful, and couldn’t seem to get things going technically.

According to Birmingham Live, Watkins had six shots in the match from inside the box, and the United-linked striker could not make a meaningful impact.

Speaking alongside Owen Hargreaves, Scholes told Premier League Productions: “There’s not much a coach can do.

Paul Scholes’ clear Ollie Watkins concern cannot be ignored by Ruben Amorim as Man Utd mull long over £60m Aston Villa deal

The 40-year-old Utd manager cannot take the risk of bringing in a striking option that fails to put up consistent numbers amid Utd’s financial woes.

Watkins ended the 2024-25 season at Villa Park by netting 17 times and picking up 14 assists in 54 matches across all competitions for the Premier League side.

Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Hojlund has been linked with Inter Milan and it remains to be seen if the 22-year-old Denmark and Man United forward will be offloaded in the summer transfer window.

Scholes could see the real potential in Watkins and praised his natural skill in the attacking line, but his ability as a goalscorer is a clear red flag for Manchester United.

Manchester United cannot have a repeat of a Josh Zirkzee situation by signing a player who is unable to put up consistent numbers, despite his other impressive abilities on the pitch.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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