Man Utd recommended Ollie Watkins transfer as Villa striker would ‘elevate them’
McTominay insists Man Utd squad remain fully behind Ten Hag
Manchester United have been told that Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins would “elevate” the Red Devils should he make a switch to Old Trafford in the January transfer window. United’s forwards have struggled for goals this season but Watkins has had no such troubles at Villa Park.
The England forward has spearheaded Unai Emery’s attack that has led Villa to third place in the Premier League table, two points off leaders Liverpool and eight ahead of sixth-placed United. Only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, Son Heung-min and Jarrod Bowen have scored more league goals than Watkins this season, prompting links to the traditional top-six clubs.
Arsenal have been linked with Watkins as they go in search of bolstering their frontline in January, but United’s lack of firepower has seen former West Brom and Wolves striker Don Goodman insist that the Aston Villa striker would dramatically improve Erik ten Hag’s outfit.
“I don’t think Ollie Watkins would go to either Man City or Liverpool,” Goodman told BoyleSports. “I think Darwin Nunez will be sensational. It’s only a matter of time before the chances he’s missing start flying in the back of the net and we’ll be saying it was worth the wait.
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“I’m not sure if Watkins is an Arsenal type. There’s one club I think he’d elevate instantly and that’s Man United. But for me, take away the name and history of Man United and they’re a mid-table team.
“Aston Villa are a better team. I haven’t seen anything this season that suggests Man United aren’t a mid-table team. Watkins would definitely improve Man United, but I’d argue he’s best off staying at Aston Villa for the next couple of years.”
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Only Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have scored more than one league goal for United this season while £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund is yet to record his first league goal since joining from Atalanta. Forwards Anthony Martial and Alejandro Garnacho have one strike each while Antony, Mason Mount, Facundo Pellistri and Jadon Sancho have also failed to celebrate a goal in the league this season.
Goodman certainly believes that Watkins would improve United, but a January signing while Aston Villa are aiming for Champions League football and beyond and letting their talisman leave mid-season would cost a pretty penny. Though United would have a more realistic chance of prising him away from Villa as opposed to targeting a striker from their European rivals.
However, if Arsenal do rival any United interest in Watkins, not only do they have a better chance at offering him a team that compete for the title but the striker has already admitted that it would be a “dream” to play for the Gunners.
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