By Obaloluwa Joshua, LAGOS
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Victor Osimhen would be a better signing for his former club than Viktor Gyokeres, Prompt News reports.
The duo are reportedly on the Red Devils radar this summer.
Osimhen was top scorer in the Turkish Super Lig last season, contributing 26 goals and five assists in 30 league outings.
Gyokeres scored 39 goals and registered eight assists to help Sporting Lisbon clinch the Portuguese League title.
Assessing the two forwards, Ferdinand claimed Manchester United should sign Osimhen.
“[Man United need] a centre-forward with experience. That’s it. I think United can go and get a lot of players and get loads of stuff. But I think it’s been evident that Hojlund came in for huge money and hasn’t hit the ground running, has struggled really. Zirkzee hasn’t done much better than him, really,” Ferdinand told the Mirror.
“So, I think you need someone in all the good teams you see. They normally have at least one of the attacking players, normally the number nine. And you go, actually, yeah, I can pin my hat on him. I can rely on him.
“And I think Hojlund’s lack of experience has been a big factor. So, a striker, I don’t want any striker. I think I’ve said it on my podcast many times. I think a striker with experience, knows his right way around the football field, who the young ones they’ve invested in, like Hojlund and Zirkzee and Chido [Obi] can learn from.”
On Gyokeres, he added: “I think Gyokeres, everyone’s talking about him. Again, I think if I’m looking at the market now and I had to pick him or Osimhen, I’d probably pick Osimhen because of that experience.
“And he’s shown he’s done it in multiple leagues now. And he’s done it internationally as well. I think he’s a top-class number nine who, again, the young players will be able to learn from. I’m not saying that Gyokeres would fail. I’m just saying that if I had a preference, I would go there.”
