Rio Ferdinand has named his ideal transfer this summer, stating that he should be signed ahead of RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, despite Manchester United’s centre forward needs
Manchester United have been searching for a new centre forward almost all summer, with the priority target being Liam Delap, who joined Chelsea for just £30 million to reunite with his former coach, Enzo Maresca.
Elsewhere, Hugo Ekitike has joined Liverpool for a large fee of £79 million, a fee that United couldn’t afford to spend on a third player, after spending over £60 million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Viktor Gyokeres was another option for the Red Devils, but Rúben Amorim’s former striker looks set to join Arsenal and face off against his former manager on the opening day of the Premier League season at Old Trafford.
While a striker signing appears to be a priority for United, Amorim does have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee fighting for the starting spot, with Chido Obi also hungry for minutes after his debut last campaign.
Ferdinand names Baleba as priority
Speaking on his YouTube Channel, Rio Ferdinand has named Carlos Baleba as his priority signing, over RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, despite the need for a centre forward.
“I’m not really doubting [Sesko] as a player. I’m saying Man United need experience at the top of the pitch. They’ve got Hojlund, they’ve got Zirkzee, they’ve got Chido. Young, inexperienced players. They need someone to look at and go, “That’s how you play as a No. 9. That’s how you do it.”
“When you’re going to buy somebody who hasn’t got as much experience as I’d like, I think that’s another risk. Is it worth taking with inexperienced players at this level?”
Ferdinand continued: “If I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield. There’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’ve got to be honest, who I think fits the bill for what we need.”
“An Amorim-type player as well. Physically great, can drive with the ball, can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, centre midfield. (Carlos) Baleba. That’s who I go and get. That’s my man. That’s the one I go and get. I go and break the bank.”
Baleba could unlock other players
Baleba, who won 199 duels last season (as per FotMob), could help unleash some of United’s more creative players, as he would be responsible for winning possession back quickly.
“I think he’ll have a huge impact on this squad, on this team,” said Ferdinand. “You free up a few people in that midfield area as well to have a little less responsibility defensively because I think he’s all-action. He can do it all.”
Signing Baleba, while it would improve the first team, could see the end of Manuel Ugarte’s United career, after being dropped for Casemiro last season, despite his prior relationship with Amorim at Sporting CP.
Ugarte would become the third choice in the more defensive midfield role, with Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo playing on the other side of the double pivot.
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