Manchester United have been linked with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres this summer – but they should be directing their focus towards Ollie Watkins, says one club legend
Paul Ince believes that Manchester United should look to sign Ollie Watkins this summer. The Red Devils have been working hard to improve Ruben Amorim‘s squad since the opening of the transfer window, securing Matheus Cunha from Wolves in a £62.5million move earlier this month.
Recruiting proven firepower is thought to be a priority at Old Trafford in the coming months, given that Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failed to have much of an impact in the Premier League in 2024/25 – scoring a combined seven goals.
And as a result, United have been endless in their pursuit of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, while also showing an interest in the likes of Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres. An initial bid of £55m for Mbeumo was rejected, but it is thought that their improved figure exceeding £60m may get a deal over the line for the 25-year-old winger.
Gyokeres, meanwhile, has also proved to be a tough acquisition for Amorim and the United board. While Arsenal are thought to have held pole position for the 27-year-old striker, who found the back of the net 39 times in the Primeira Liga this season, it appears as though the Red Devils are now back in the running – although a move could cost another £60m.
Newcastle United talisman Alexander Isak is another of the summer transfer window’s most talked-about names having impressed at St. James’ Park since arriving from Real Sociedad back in 2022. However, the £150m price tag set on the 25-year-old – given that he is considered one of the best goal-scorers in Europe at present and is under contract with the Magpies until 2028 – may prove off-putting to a cost-cutting United side.
With those players totalling as much as £270m, Ince, who played at Old Trafford between 1989 and 1995, believes that his old club could find a far cheaper solution in Aston Villa’s Watkins this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football this week via the RIFE Don’t Miss Challenge, the 57-year-old said: «The one I’d probably go for, if it was available, would be Ollie Watkins. I think, obviously, he’s proven year in and year out he scores goals.
«He can run it behind, he’s quick, he can hold the ball up. He’s got all the attributes of a striker that you want. And if you look at the way he was kind of pushed out towards the back end of the season when [Marcus] Rashford came, there might be something.
«He won’t be happy about not playing towards the back end of the season. So, there might be something doing. Maybe not, that’s down to Ollie and his agent and getting it sorted out. But if I was trying to bring a striker in, I’d bring in Ollie Watkins.
«And I think it would take a lot of weight off Hojlund. Rasmus Hojlund is a young striker and he’s been asked all last season to play at the biggest club under the biggest expectations, under the biggest pressure and the biggest spotlight to score goals.
«And, you know, it’s not happened for him and he’s been criticised for it – and I think sometimes a bit unfairly. I think he’s one of those young players who maybe needs to maybe go on loan somewhere for a year, score goals or just be a support act for whoever they bring in so he’s not under pressure every time when he starts a game.
«And that coincides with United being poor, United not playing well, players not adjusting to the system. It’s been a tough, tough year for him but he’ll learn. It’s character-building.
«But he needs that striker where he can just say, ‘Right, well, the pressure’s not on me to go and score a week in and a week out, and when the game opens up, maybe I can get 15, 20 minutes on the pitch where I can – hit the back of the net.’
«But it wasn’t just the goals and people just talk about the goals. I think, you know, he’s got to work on his hold-up play. For me, he needs to be a lot, lot better at his retention of the ball. But these are all things you expect from a young player, but things that he needs to be working on every day.»
It comes after Arsenal made a bid for Watkins in the January transfer window to the tune of around £60m, which left Villa officials fuming given it was made public just two hours before their Champions League clash with Celtic. Watkins impressed in the Premier League this season, finding the back of the net on 16 occasions in 38 appearances while providing eight goals overall – and should United be serious in bolstering their lead line ahead of 2025/26, the 29-year-old would undoubtedly fit the bill.
Paul Ince spoke ahead of the final #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Man United’s 2025/26 home kit
