Man Utd urged to buy Premier League star as new signing is ‘not the answer’

Manchester United have been told to re-enter the transfer market (Pictures: Getty)

Ex-England midfielder Danny Murphy has urged Manchester United to make an offer for Ivan Toney as new signing Joshua Zirkzee is ‘not the answer’.

Zirkzee enjoyed a sensational start to his Old Trafford career, scoring a late winner to help United beat Fulham on the opening day of the new season.

The Netherlands forward became Manchester United’s first summer signing when he completed a £36.5m move from Bologna last month.

Despite Zirkee’s promising performance against Fulham, Murphy believes United need to sign a ‘proper centre forward’ before the transfer window shuts and named Toney as an ideal target.

Toney is expected to leave Brentford in the coming weeks after being left out of the club’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

The England striker, who is valued at around £50m, has attracted interest from Saudi Arabia but Murphy says Manchester United should be pursuing a deal.

‘Joshua Zirkzee has made a dream start at Manchester United and looks a wonderful talent,’ Murphy told the Daily Mail. ‘But sorry to disappoint United fans, he is not going to be the answer to their goalscoring problems.

Joshua Zirkzee hit the ground running at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)

‘The Dutchman is strong and skilful, but not a proper centre forward. He likes to come to the ball and is more comfortable as a No 10 or wide. His scoring record at Bologna was a goal every four games – not great.

‘Unless United go for a genuine No 9 like Ivan Toney in the last couple of weeks of the transfer window, I think you can discount their top four prospects.

‘Rasmus Hojlund is not ready either to be that 20-goals-a-season Man United need in the Premier League.’

Toney has scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford, enjoying his best season in 2022-23 when he netted 20 goals in the Premier League.

Ivan Toney is expected to leave Brentford this summer (Picture: Getty)

The 28-year-old was included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 and impressed off the bench, providing a crucial assist in the knockout stages and scoring a penalty in the shootout win over Switzerland.

Murphy added: ‘We know Toney has the swagger and Premier League experience and if Brentford are willing to let him go for £50million, it would be a no-brainer in my view for Erik ten Hag to get him.

‘They cannot finish in the top four with Hojlund as their only recognised centre forward.

‘I come back to it again – Zirkzee will be a big asset, but his strength is joining in play and chipping in with goals rather than bearing the main responsibility.

‘Without an investment in Toney or a similar striker, who will puff out their chest and make Old Trafford their goalscoring stage, it is hard to make a case for them doing enough to guarantee qualifying for the Champions League.’

Zirkzee was the first of four new signings to arrive at Manchester United this summer, with Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui also completing moves to the Theatre of Dreams.

Ten Hag’s side return to Premier League action on Saturday against Brighton, who thumped Everton 3-0 on the opening weekend.

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