Manchester United’s struggles in attack were laid bare in their 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace as Ruben Amorim was forced to play defensive midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has urged his old club to move for Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen on deadline day after being left unimpressed by Rasmus Hojlund.
United’s turbulent season continued on Sunday after Crystal Palace inflicted a 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford, their 11th loss of the Premier League season.
Their struggles in attack were laid bare as Ruben Amorim was forced to play defensive midfielder Kobbie Mainoo as a false nine. It was an experiment that failed to pay off as United had just two shots on target all game.
The Red Devils are now 13th in the Premier League and 12 points off the top four, with Amorim looking for answers to revamp his struggling squad.
He has brought in two defenders in the January transfer window already in centre-back Ayden Heaven and left-back Patrick Dorgu, but is now seeking a new forward after leaving Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee on the bench against Palace.
Ferdinand believes Osimhen would be the perfect signing for United because he is a “natural No 9” who can offer a regular supply of goals.
After replying to a fan who claimed United needed a traditional forward on his Rio Ferdinand Presents YouTube show, he replied: “I 100 per cent agree with you. I completely agree. A natural number nine. Victor Osimhen, I would have gone with Osimhen on loan. Get him on loan, man. If it’s possible I would have got him.”
Moving for Osimhen is not a simple task as he’s currently on loan with Galatasaray from Napoli, so any interested club would likely have to convince the Italian club to recall him and loan him elsewhere.
Ferdinand has previously called for United to sign Osimhen, who has scored 17 goals in 21 appearances this term, saying he would do what Hojlund can’t do and guarantee goals.
“I’ve watched Hojlund closely the last two games… it just doesn’t add up,” he said. “I’d be going to get Osimhen now if we can do it from a financial standpoint. Get him on loan now!
“Guarantees you someone who can get on the end of things, scores goals, experienced, done it at the top level. I just feel like because Hojlund was £70m-odd we’re expecting the finished article. Unfortunately [he’s not]. He’s a young striker but normally a striker of that age comes in and learns off someone. He’s got nobody to learn off.”
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