Rio Ferdinand has identified a Manchester United-linked striker who could play in a trident attack force alongside Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo under Ruben Amorim.
Matheus Cunha was a top Manchester United target this summer and the 26-year-old Brazilian attacker was a key marquee signing for Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim.
United landed Cunha from Wolves in early June after the Premier League club paid the £62.5m transfer fee in the Brazil international’s release clause at the Molineux.
Cunha had deeply impressed during the 2024-25 campaign with Wolves and the United summer signing netted 17 times and registered six assists in 36 matches.
Joining the former Wolves ace at Old Trafford this summer was none other than Bryan Mbeumo, who was also a key United target for Amorim’s first-team squad.
United’s third bid for Mbeumo was finally accepted by Brentford earlier this month and the 25-year-old French-born attacker completed his move to Old Trafford.
What Rio Ferdinand said about Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins playing alongside Man Utd duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo
Manchester United’s transfer of Bryan Mbeumo had the Red Devils paying an initial fee of £65m, including agreeing to a further £6m in add-ons for the ex-Brentford ace.
The Cameroon international had entered into the final 12 months of his contract at Brentford and the Bees had rejected two bids from United for Mbeumo in June.
Mbeumo was in a stellar run of form during the 2024-25 season at Brentford and the United signing scored 20 times and had nine assists to his name in 42 matches.
Rio Ferdinand has now suggested United could hit “double figures” with Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in attack alongside Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “If you get Watkins, you’ve got guaranteed 15-20 goals really and then you’ve got that with Cunha and you’ve got that with Mbeumo.
“Not completely guaranteed, but you’ve got double figures all the way up front.
“Bear in mind, we were 16th in terms of goals scored last season and these lot are getting you [a] minimum [of] 40 goals between them.”
Man Utd linked with Aston Villa attacker Ollie Watkins amid the Red Devils’ pursuit of a new striker this summer
Ollie Watkins has appeared on United’s transfer radar this summer and the 29-year-old Aston Villa striker has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past.
The England international has been seen as a potential replacement for Rasmus Hojlund if the struggling United and Denmark striker leaves Old Trafford this summer.
Watkins is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and the Three Lions star found the back of the net 17 times and picked up 14 assists in 54 matches last season.
Villa are playing hardball over any negotiations involving the United-linked Watkins and the Premier League club are holding out for a fee in the region of £60m.
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