Ruben Amorim has been told why Manchester United should try and sign Napoli’s Victor Osimhen to bolster the striker position this summer.
Manchester United have started the summer transfer window strongly, with Matheus Cunha through the door early and work being done on signing Bryan Mbeumo.
Those two additions can hugely improve United in these no.10 roles but there is still a desperate need for a centre-forward to follow them.
Rasmus Højlund looked so far out of his depth last season while Joshua Zirkzee seems to play his best football in a slightly deeper role.
Various strikers have been linked with a move to Old Trafford this summer but it seems like the two favoured options among the fanbase are Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen.
Ferdinand gives Osimhen vs Gyokeres opinion
Rio Ferdinand has made his feelings about the position at his former club clear, with the ex-defender explaining that there needs to be a striker who can be relied upon.
“[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,” Ferdinand told the Mirror.
“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.”
However, when asked about the links with Gyokeres, the 46-year-old stated that Osimhen would be the better signing due to his experience of scoring goals in multiple different environments.
“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,” continued Ferdinand.
“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.
“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.”
Osimhen’s game translates to Premier League
United have not been showing major interest in Osimhen for some time now but there is a possibility the produce a U-turn and enter the race if he lowers his demands – and that is exactly what Ferdinand wants.
It makes a lot of sense because Osimhen’s game seems easily transferable to the Premier League while there are more question marks over Gyokeres and whether he can replicate his insane goalscoring form in England.
On the other hand, United need absolutely everyone pulling in the same direction at Old Trafford in order to turn things around and there remain concerns over Osimhen’s camp and whether they will be a distraction or not.
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Although, there has also been a lot of noise about Gyokeres’ agents in recent days too.
Both players would undoubtably improve United’s frontline but at least according to Ferdinand, Osimhen would be the better signing.
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