Ex-Manchester United defender Phil Jones has offered huge praise for one of the club’s “terrific” transfer targets this summer.
Manchester United are set to overhaul their attacking options this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 season that saw them slump to 15th in the Premier League. A lack of cutting edge in front of goal was a major contributor to their poor performance.
The club has already made a strong statement by completing the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha and are currently in talks to bring in Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo.
At the same time, United continue their search for a proven centre-forward, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins emerging as a potential target. Watkins has netted 44 goals over the past two seasons and would provide Ruben Amorim’s side with another reliable, Premier League-tested attacking option.
The 29-year-old is someone who has already impressed many with his performance levels, including former United defender Phil Jones.
Jones offers huge praise for “terrific” Watkins
Jones, 33, is currently spending time at Old Trafford in a coaching capacity after injuries forced him into an early retirement.
Speaking last year, the Premier League winner explained why he thinks Watkins is such a good option upfront.
“He is a terrific player – he has shown that for club and country now,” he told the BBC.
“What I like about him is that he can come short and offer that dynamic, but he can also go in behind. He is a real handful and he is quite comfortable playing on the shoulder of the defender.”
Watkins solves glaring issue at United
As Jones mentioned, someone like Watkins can be dangerous as he is comfortable dropped deeper while also being a threat running into spaces.
The problem with United’s current options upfront is that neither of them can do both of those roles to a high level.
Rasmus Hojlund is more comfortable when running in behind but has a lot to be desired in terms of linkup while Joshua Zirkzee excels when dropping into those spaces to receive the ball to feet, but is not blessed with the pace needed to run in behind defences constantly.
Whether it is Watkins or someone else, United need to have someone upfront who can perform both of those actions to a high level.
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