Pundit thinks £100m ace may be Ratcliffe’s first big Manchester United signing

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Brentford striker Ivan Toney is ‘exactly’ what Manchester United need as the Premier League giants struggle for goals under Erik ten Hag.

That is the view of Darragh MacAnthony, a man well qualified to pass comment on the late-blooming England international. Ivan Toney, after all, is one of many talented centre-forwards who passed through MacAnthony’s Peterborough before making their mark at a higher level, finishing last season with 20 Premier League goals at Thomas Frank’s Brentford.

The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have all been credited with an interest in recent weeks, despite suggestions that Brentford will not entertain any offers below the £100 million mark in the January window (Sky Sports).

The Peterborough chairman, however, believes there is another English giant in Manchester United crying out for a centre-forward of Toney’s finesse and firepower.

Manchester United urged to consider Ivan Toney move

“All day long (he is a potential £80 to £90 million striker),” MacAnthony tells talkSPORT (3 November, 10.30am).

“Brentford are very shrewd. They are such good operators. I actually think, if United have this new ownership and this new director of football, he could be one of the first big signings they make in January.

“And what a signing he would be for their frontline, by the way. he is exactly what they need. They need a player who is a Golden Boot winner in the making.”

‘What a signing he would be’

Much has been made of the fact that only one member of Ten Hag’s attack has scored or assisted a goal in the Premier League so far this season, and even Marcus Rashford – last term’s 30-goal top scorer – has looked a pale imitation of his former self.

The Daily Mail, meanwhile, believe that United could look to recruit an experienced number nine in January in order to ease the burden on a 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund. It is difficult to think of a man better suited to such a role than Ivan Toney although – even if reports of a £100 million price-tag are wide of the mark – any hopes of a big mid-season addition are likely to be dependent on some much-needed financial investment from Sir Jim Ratcliffe.