Rio Ferdinand explained that Manchester United are in dire need of a proven centre-forward this summer if they have any hopes of improving in 2025/26, and has suggested a better fit than Viktor Gyokeres
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Sport
07:30, 13 Jun 2025
Rio Ferdinand sports a pair of sunglasses as he looks on
Rio Ferdinand has spoken about Manchester United's transfer business
(Image: 2025 Malcolm Couzens)
Manchester United should sign Victor Osimhen this summer instead of Viktor Gyokeres. That's according to Rio Ferdinand, who reckons the Nigerian striker is a better fit for his former club. The Red Devils struggled for firepower this season, with Rasmus Hojlund finding the net just four times in the Premier League.
Last summer's marquee signing Joshua Zirkzee has also failed to impress at Old Trafford, with just three league goals in 32 games. With just 44 goals registered as a team - the second lowest amount in the Premier League outside of a relegated Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester - it is clear that United need to bring a talisman to the north west in the coming months.
And Ruben Amorim is eager to welcome fresh faces to overhaul his inherited squad. United have already struck a £62.5million deal with Wolves for Matheus Cunha, and are trying to work out terms with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo.
Another name linked with the Red Devils is Sporting CP sensation Gyokeres, who scored 39 goals and provided eight assists to help his side clinch the Primeira Liga title this season. However, Ferdinand believes Napoli's Osimhen is a better option, given he has far more experience than the 27-year-old Swede.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, Ferdinand said: "[Man United need] a centre-forward with experience. That's it. I think United can go and get a lot of players and get loads of stuff. But I think it's been evident that Hojlund came in for huge money and hasn't hit the ground running, has struggled really. Zirkzee hasn't done much better than him, really.
"So, I think you need someone in all the good teams you see. They normally have at least one of the attacking players, normally the number nine. And you go, actually, yeah, I can pin my hat on him. I can rely on him.
Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Manchester United
"And I think Hojlund's lack of experience has been a big factor. So, a striker, I don't want any striker. I think I've said it on my podcast many times. I think a striker with experience, knows his right way around the football field, who the young ones they've invested in, like Hojlund and Zirkzee and Chido [Obi] can learn from."
On Gyokeres, he added: "I think Gyokeres, everyone's talking about him. Again, I think if I'm looking at the market now and I had to pick him or Osimhen, I'd probably pick Osimhen because of that experience.
"And he's shown he's done it in multiple leagues now. And he's done it internationally as well. I think he's a top-class number nine who, again, the young players will be able to learn from. I'm not saying that Gyokeres would fail. I'm just saying that if I had a preference, I would go there."
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates a goal
Victor Osimhen has been linked with Manchester United
If United are to sign Gyokeres, they will have to beat Arsenal to the punch, with Mikel Arteta also linked with the star striker in a bid to bolster his own strike force for 2025/26.
Gyokeres's contract has a reported £85m release clause, so the Red Devils could be forced to pay in excess for his services, given that he is contracted with Sporting until 2028. Club president Frederico Varandas also recently announced that interested parties will have to part ways with more than his £59m price tag.
Osimhen, meanwhile, is unsettled at Napoli, but the club will still want big money to part ways with him this summer. A £63m deal with Al-Hilal was reportedly accepted by the Serie A giants recently, only for the 26-year-old to decide against a move to the Middle East.
However, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Juventus all thought to be interested in the striker, Manchester United will again face stiff competition for his signature.
Rio Ferdinand poses at a Talking Futures event
Rio Ferdinand has launched the Career Transfer Hub with Talking Futures
Ferdinand's comments come as he launches his Career Transfer Hub with Talking Futures, with hopes of connecting teenagers and parents in planning their futures. Speaking about the cause, he said: "I think it's about empowering kind of families to talk more about education, especially parents.
"I think we're comfortable talking about a lot of things, i.e. football, a lot of the time in and around the front room or across the table with your kids, but getting that kind of common ground when you're talking about education, sometimes it's quite difficult, even I've found it difficult at times.
"So something like this is definitely a good way in and a good avenue in to kind of having those conversations about what's next in your life, education wise, where do you see yourself going? What paths are you looking at?
"And this is a great, I think, avenue for parents to really kind of touch the paper and go, right, listen, here we go, and start walking their kids down the right path, giving them a little bit of autonomy over it, but also guide them a little bit at the same time. So I wish I'd had this when I was younger - although I had football, which I was quite fortunate with."
Rio Ferdinand has partnered with Talking Futures to launch the Career Transfer Hub – giving parents access to information on their child’s education options just like football agents have transfer insiders, negotiation teams and career scouts. You can find out more here.
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