Antoine Semenyo: Scholes explains why Ghanaian should have joined United | OneFootball

Manchester United have missed out on Antoine Semenyo, who opted to move to Manchester City earlier this month. The Red Devils have had their eyes on the Ghanaian for a while following his stunning rise with Bournemouth.

According to a previous report from The Peoples Person, Semenyo was a priority for former head coach Ruben Amorim last summer. The pair even met over dinner ahead of a possible move, but the transfer failed to materialise.

Another report has since stated that United offered the 26 year old less wages than Bryan Mbeumo, which left Semenyo annoyed and prompted him to sign a new deal with the Cherries. The decision has since come back to haunt the Red Devils.

On fire this season

Out to prove a point, Semenyo was on fire in the first half of the season, forcing United to reconsider their stance. The Red Devils were heavily linked with the player ahead of the winter transfer window, but it was their bitter rivals who won the race for his signature.

The Ghanaian has hit the ground running since arriving at the Etihad, and has found the back of the net in both of his first two games for the Cityzens. He now has 12 goals and four assists in 23 appearances across competitions this season.

Antoine Semenyo Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

While Semenyo already looks like a superb addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad, one United legend believes that the Ghanaian would have been better advised to move to Old Trafford.

Another fish in the pond at City

Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football podcast, as cited by Metro, Scholes insisted that Semenyo would have been more suited to United. He said: “They don’t need him. He doesn’t seem like a Man City style of player to me, do you know what I mean?”

“He’s all about pace and power, he hasn’t got the guile and the little intricate stuff that you expect at Man City like they’ve had with David Silva or Phil Foden. He doesn’t seem that type of player. But you’d still love to have him, I wish we had him. He would be more suited to us.”

“He’s been like a big fish in a small pond at Bournemouth, now he’s just a normal player at Man City. It’s a bit like what happened with Jack Grealish, who was unbelievable at Aston Villa, he was the talisman there like Semenyo was at Bournemouth.”

“Now it’s going to be a little bit different for him. When you look at Man City they need a centre-half and a right-back rather than another attacker.”

Final Thoughts

United have been left ruing their lack of proactivity in the transfer market once again, but the Antoine Semenyo ship has already sailed. The Red Devils have more pressing issues at the moment, especially with the team yet to pick up a win since the turn of the year.

Missing out on Semenyo will sting fans, but all eyes will now be on Michael Carrick, who has been appointed United’s caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Featured image Lewis Storey via Getty Images

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