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Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty Lee Sharpe believes Manchester United should have pursued a deal for Ollie Watkins to bolster Michael Carrick’s options in attack. Watkins looks set to leave Aston Villa before the summer transfer window closes after missing the club’s opening Premier League game on Sunday. The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the dismal 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with the English striker now set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a move worth £50million. United were linked with a move for Watkins earlier in the summer, but have prioritised signings in central midfield options over other areas of the squad. Exclusive Premier League previews Get ahead of the start of the season with our weekly football newsletter. Sign up now for free. But former Red Devils winger Sharpe believes the club may have missed a trick by not making a move for Watkins, particularly after their 2-0 defeat at Hull City on opening day that exposed their lack of depth in the striker position. ‘I think he would be an ideal buy,’ Sharpe told Metro. ‘He holds the ball up well, he’s quick, he scores goals and I think he’s at the age where he would have come in and not been overawed by Manchester United and what would have been expected of him as a number nine. ‘I think he would have thrived and been be a great signing and Sesko would learn so much from him. Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is poised to join Al Hilal (Picture: PA) ‘It looks like he has looked at Saudi for the wages towards the end of his career, but I definitely think he could have come to Man United and had success for two or three years. ‘He’d have been great to have around the club and great for Sesko so I wonder whether they might have missed a trick there.’ With Sesko still working his way back to full fitness, Matheus Cunha led the line for United on opening day but struggled to make an impact. Instead, Sharpe would like to see Carrick turn Joshua Zirkzee as an alternative centre-forward option despite his underwhelming impact at Old Trafford since arriving in 2024. Alan Shearer: A new striker could take United 'to the next level' Alan Shearer (Picture: PA) In an exclusive interview with Metro, Alan Shearer also called for United to add more depth in attack before the September 1 transfer deadline. ‘I do think for them to go to the next level they need another striker,’ Shearer told Metro. ‘I don’t think they’re good enough defensively, but I do think they’re also lacking in the centre-forward position. ‘Clearly, Sesko wasn’t fit. They brought him on in the second half and he missed a couple of decent chances, but I do think that to go to the next level, they might need another centre-forward. ‘Having said that, I guess you could say that with many clubs. Where do you get them from? That’s the big thing.’ To read the full interview, click here. ‘I’m really surprised when Sesko’s not playing, especially against teams that play five and just defend at the back, why they don’t play a little bit more of Zirkzee,’ Sharpe, speaking via Ignition Australia added. ‘I think he has really great feet. I think he has ability to beat people. He’s good in tight areas, he’s really creative. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a number nine. ‘When you’re dominating possession and you’re playing against a back five and four midfielders sat just in front of them, you need people that can play in tight areas, that can beat people in tight spaces. ‘And I think Zirkzee has got all that and I’m surprised they don’t, if not start him, at least bring him on for the last half an hour when they need goals.’ Joshua Zirkzee was an unused substitute against Hull City (Picture: Getty) While Watkins may not be coming through the door, United recently confirmed Carlos Baleba as their latest summer signing. The former Brighton midfielder’s form dipped somewhat last season, but Sharpe is confident that the 22-year-old can still hit great heights at Old Trafford. ‘I th
At first glance, Bradley Barcola looks like the natural successor to Luis Diaz, with the underlying data suggesting the Paris St-Germain forward could fill that void. Opta's player similarity model rates the Frenchman as the winger whose output most closely resembled Diaz's across Europe's top five leagues in 2025-26 (78%), with Mohamed Salah (65%), Lamine Yamal (61%) and Vinicius Junior (61%) the next closest matches. Barcola is a left winger by trade, having played almost all of his Champions League minutes for PSG on that flank, but his game is shaped by a centre-forward's instincts.
Manchester City supporters might not know whether to be amused or afraid to hear that Allan Elias’ nickname as a kid was 'Mini Balotelli' – a reference to the bleached-blonde mohawk haircut that had in fact been inspired by childhood hero Neymar.
Santos are expecting to receive a bid for defender Joao Ananias, who has attracted interest from Arsenal and Brentford. The post Brazilian Club ‘Expect To Receive An Offer’ As Arsenal And Brentford Namechecked appeared first on Inside Futbol | Latest Football News, Transfer Rumours & Articles.
Roma have opened talks with Nottingham Forest over a loan move for Brazilian centre-back Morato, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, with the two clubs discussing a loan containing a purchase option that Forest want turned into an obligation under certain conditions. Di Marzio reports the clubs “have opened initial contacts,” while LaRoma24 adds that Morato […] The post Morato to Roma: Talks open with Nottingham Forest over loan-to-buy deal appeared first on SoccerNews.
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