Manchester United’s efforts to sign a new striker this summer have yet to be successful despite links with numerous talented forwards around Europe.
This summer began with Manchester United’s plan for the summer crystal clear, due to having a limited budget.
Part of this plan, was that United wanted to sign Liam Delap for £30m, triggering his relegation release clause at Ipswich Town, which looked like excellent for value for money.
After missing out on Delap, United turned attentions toward Bryan Mbeumo fully, but a striker remains on the agenda.
Several top strikers have already moved this summer, in the form of Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal, Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and Joao Pedro to Chelsea, which leaves United right now with a slim list of options.
United are targeting Ollie Watkins this summer, with the Aston Villa forward due to cost around £60m as United in Focus have revealed.
But there is one long-term United target up front who looks like he would have been a great signing this summer before he headed elsewhere.
Evan Ferguson steals the show on debut for Roma
Ireland international star Evan Ferguson was once the Premier League’s hottest young striker prospect at Brighton, and United as expected were linked heavily.
United were told they would have to wait five years for Ferguson, with the Irishman compared with Harry Kane for being incredibly well rounded at such a young age.
United bid £50m for Ferguson during the summer in which Rasmus Hojlund arrived, yet since then the youngster has struggled to maintain the same levels of performance.
Due to his struggles, Brighton have now sent Ferguson out on loan to Roma, with the Serie A side having a £32m option to buy him next summer. If he fulfil his potential, this will end up looking like bargain.
Ferguson debuted for Roma in a friendly on Thursday and scored four goals in this outing, adding one assist.
The level of the competition must be taken into account as Unipomezia are a lower league Italian side, but his goals were all pure quality, while Hojlund struggled against Hong Kong.
Manchester United should have taken Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton this summer
While Ferguson is not a £100m player like he was tipped as being years ago, with United’s desperate need for goals, signing the Irish phenom on a loan would have been a risk-free move.
Back in 2024, it was reported that Sir Jim Ratcliffe wanted to sign Ferguson, viewing him as a high potential and long term signing, making his fee less of a scary sight.
At the age of just 20, Ferguson still has an incredibly high ceiling, which he needs confidence to reach, something he wasn’t getting at Brighton.
Ferguson grew up idolising Wayne Rooney, which means he must have been a fan of Manchester United, which implies that the Red Devils would be a big deal for him and could help him improve enough to help Amorim’s attack.
The young striker is better technically than Hojlund for example, while there is also evidence he is a better goalscorer and therefore would thrive from the creative teammates he would have at Old Trafford.
If Ferguson shines in Serie A, he will very quickly be worth well beyond the £32m buy option Roma have, which could see United regret not taking a chance on the number nine.
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