Osimhen over Gyokeres: Rio Ferdinand sends Man Utd strong transfer message

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has urged the club to sign Victor Osimhen this summer instead of Viktor Gyokeres.

The Red Devils finished the 2024/25 season in 15th place and lost out in the Europa League final to rivals Tottenham Hotspur. United are now looking at bringing in new players especially upfront as they struggled to get goals last season.

Rasmus Hojlund found the net just four times in the Premier League while marquee signing Joshua Zirkzee has also failed to impress at Old Trafford, with just three league goals in 32 games.

With just 44 goals registered as a team – the second lowest amount in the Premier League outside of a relegated Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester – United are looking at signing a new number nine.

The Red Devils are heavily linked with Sporting CP sensation Gyokeres, who scored 39 goals and provided eight assists to help his side clinch the Primeira Liga title this season. However, Ferdinand believes Napoli’s Osimhen is a better option.

Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting looks on during the Liga Portugal Betclic match between Sporting CP and Gil Vicente. (Photo by Maciej Rogowski/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football, Ferdinand said: “[Man United need] a centre-forward with experience. That’s it. I think United can go and get a lot of players and get loads of stuff. But I think it’s been evident that Hojlund came in for huge money and hasn’t hit the ground running, has struggled really. Zirkzee hasn’t done much better than him, really.

“So, I think you need someone in all the good teams you see. They normally have at least one of the attacking players, normally the number nine. And you go, actually, yeah, I can pin my hat on him. I can rely on him.

“And I think Hojlund’s lack of experience has been a big factor. So, a striker, I don’t want any striker. I think I’ve said it on my podcast many times. I think a striker with experience, knows his right way around the football field, who the young ones they’ve invested in, like Hojlund and Zirkzee and Chido [Obi] can learn from.”

On Gyokeres, he added: “I think Gyokeres, everyone’s talking about him. Again, I think if I’m looking at the market now and I had to pick him or Osimhen, I’d probably pick Osimhen because of that experience.

“And he’s shown he’s done it in multiple leagues now. And he’s done it internationally as well. I think he’s a top-class number nine who, again, the young players will be able to learn from. I’m not saying that Gyokeres would fail. I’m just saying that if I had a preference, I would go there.”

Arsenal are also in the race to sign a top striker this summer with Gyokeres their top target. Time will tell where the Swedish striker will play next season.