Many will argue that Manchester United have had a gaping hole in their midfield for well over a decade, with multiple high-value transfers failing to fix the problem in defensive midfield.

In modern football, the most expensive players have become those sitting in and around the base of midfield, with the likes of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez all going for over £100 million in recent years.

However, while United have brought in a number of high-profile players for the position, such as Nemanja Matic, Manuel Ugarte, and Casemiro, they have yet to find a stable, consistent, long-term defensive midfielder.

With Casemiro and Ugarte both set or likely to leave in the summer, the club have decided that signing a new partner for Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park is the club's No. 1 transfer priority.

Roundtable understands that Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson is the club's first-choice target for the position this summer, although Manchester City are known to be ahead in the race, meaning other targets must also be assessed.

In recent days, reports have emerged suggesting that while United also hold interest in Newcastle star Sandro Tonali and Crystal Palace talisman Adam Wharton, interest has cooled due to a mix of financial and positional doubts.

Former United midfielder Paul Scholes has always been an outspoken character, and on the latest episode of The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, the 51-year-old has championed an attempt to sign Arsenal's Rice this summer.

When asked who his 'dream' midfield signing would be, Scholes said: "I think I would go Declan Rice.  know I’ve slagged him off a little bit, but I think Manchester United need someone like Rice. I think they need a proper central midfielder."

Rice, of course, is in the middle of an intense Premier League title battle. Just a few weeks ago, Arsenal were nine points clear at the top of the table, but poor recent results will see City leapfrog them if they beat Burnley on Wednesday evening.

The former England man went on to explain that although Rice's move from the Emirates to Old Trafford would be a complex operation, the stature of a club like United proves that no target is truly unattainable.

"I heard Rio Ferdinand say something the other day about who is a realistic managerial target for United," Scholes continued. "But every manager and player should be realistic for Man United.

"Who isn’t a realistic target for United? I don’t believe that. I think anyone is possible for United.

"The ones they’re talking about are Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Sando Tonali – that is a position United need to strengthen."

Yes, in the hypothetical world where United sign Rice from Arsenal, this would probably put the club back on the map as an ultimate European powerhouse. Mainoo and Rice were brilliant when playing together with England.

However, despite the likely Champions League qualification set to earn United an extra £80-100 million in the coming 12 months, the club cannot afford to be silly with their funds. In all likelihood, Arsenal would demand a world-record fee for Rice.

With Casemiro exiting Old Trafford and Ugarte likely to follow, that is two midfielders who will need replacing. Add in that the club are already short in the department, which makes a minimum of three new midfielders needed this summer.

There is the possibility that a young midfielder makes the leap to the senior side, with the likes of Jimmy Thwaites impressing those in the Academy, which would no doubt help with funding.

Alternatively, the club could look toward the Championship to try and secure a talented squad option from within the English football pyramid, although this always comes with the risk of little top-flight football pressure and experience.

With Anderson possibly costing over £100 million to whoever signs him this summer and United also interested in Carlos Baleba, who could still cost at least £70 million, they need to be smart with their funding, and a move for Rice is not.