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Rio Ferdinand says striker is perfect for Man Utd and would be a better signing than Viktor Gyokeres

Kieran Smith

Sat 26 July 2025 23:15, UK

Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United to go for a striker who will be even better for Ruben Amorim than Viktor Gyokeres would have been.

Manchester United are on the hunt for a centre-forward. After the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, Ruben Amorim needs a number nine.

Alas, options are dwindling. Viktor Gyokeres is Arsenal-bound, Victor Osimhen has gone to Galatasaray, and multiple clubs are sniffing around Benjamin Sesko.

With potential suitors to lead the line at Old Trafford few and far between, Rio Ferdinand thinks he has the answer.

Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United to sign Ollie Watkins

Ferdinand spoke on Rio Ferdinand presents about Manchester United’s striker situation, and told Amorim to go and purchase Ollie Watkins, alluding to the fact he’d be a better signing for Manchester United than Gyokeres would have been.

“I think we need a centre-forward,” Ferdinand begins. “And like I said – and I’ve always said the same thing – there’s a misconception out there that I don’t rate [Viktor] Gyokeres.

“I think Gyokeres is a very good player. I just don’t think he was right for what we want right now. We need someone with experience, who the other centre-forwards can look at and go, “That’s a bit of me,” without any doubts.

“Ollie Watkins says that. Premier League proven. Played in the Champions League last year as well. Has done his thing consistently for a while. International – plays for England as well. Ticks all the boxes. Victor Osimhen was obviously my first pick. That’s an old, broken record that’s not going to materialise.

“But if you’re looking at it now, I would go Ollie Watkins – if you get him at the right price – because he’s 29 years old, and there’s no selling value.

“It’s purely just to have an impact immediately for the next two or three years, which I think Ollie Watkins could have, in a good way, on the centre-forwards that are there.

“And he’d be great right now as well. That front three – if you played Ollie Watkins and Mbeumo, and Cunha, nearly there, right?

“And you could mix that in with Amad as well. If [Alejandro] Garnacho has to stay, you’ve got [Mason] Mount as well, that’s a hard day’s work for any opposing defence on most days.”

How do Watkins and Gyokeres compare?

The two are undeniable goalscoring talents. Gyokeres scored a ludicrous amount of goals at Sporting Lisbon, while Watkins has proven he can do it in England’s top flight.

Two very different players, nevertheless. Watkins does a lot more than just score goals, whilst Gyokeres is a serial poacher.

Ferdinand is right – Watkins would probably suit leading the line at Manchester United as opposed to the Swedish counterpart.