Former Red Questions Transfer Strategy: United Should’ve Signed Watkins Years Ago

Manchester United’s long-standing search for a reliable number nine feels like a saga without an ending. The club has spent heavily - on potential, on promise, on temporary fixes and yet, the striker void remains unfilled. Rasmus Højlund, Joshua Zirkzee are a few of the names in recent years who have struggled with the weight that comes with being a number nine for United.

Why Didn’t United Move for Watkins Sooner?

Clayton Blackmore, who wore the United shirt through one of its most iconic eras, has seen plenty of elite finishers up close. So he knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a Manchester United number nine.

And for Blackmore, the answer’s been staring the club in the face for years: Ollie Watkins.

“I mentioned Watkins a few years ago because I like him and Leon Bailey together. I think United should have targeted the best players from the Premier League but ten Hag had other ideas by bringing players from other leagues. We don’t know how they’ll play in the Premier League. Watkins is a hard worker and would be a good signing.”

Højlund Needs Guidance, Not Criticism

Blackmore, though, is quick to stress that Højlund, who has struggled, isn't a lost cause. The former defender is sympathetic to the Dane’s situation and believes the 21-year-old has been thrust into a role he wasn’t quite ready for.

“I do feel for Højlund. He’s a young boy and he’s still learning. I think Ronaldo would have been a great player for Højlund to learn from and play off. Now he’s been thrown into the deep end and has to learn by himself.”

“He only had 13 senior goals that season when United signed him which is another big decision from ten Hag. I dunno what he was thinking, bringing in so many unproven players in the Premier League. It’s a different beast.”

One thing that’s been noted by Blackmore is the fact Højlund constantly finds himself making contact and fighting defenders, and he believes the Danish striker can make life easier for himself.

“I do think Højlund has the qualities to succeed. I just think he plays the number nine role incorrectly at times. He backs into centre backs and that’s not how to do it. I spoke to Mark Hughes about it and he gave some advice.”

“He said Højlund should back into the defender and then push away from them to get onto the ball. Give yourself five or six yards to control the ball and then do what you want with it. Instead, he’s trying to control the ball and stand on the centre half.”

“He’s too busy fighting. He didn’t look like a good centre forward. He wasn’t getting into the right positions.”

Despite the striker's difficulties in his first two seasons at the club, Blackmore feels Højlund can be a success.

“He also wasn’t getting into the penalty box when crosses came in. But I’ve seen him and he can run, his feet are good and he’s got it all there to be a top striker.”

What Now for Rashford?

One player whose future remains up in the air is Marcus Rashford. Once United’s golden boy, the academy graduate is now the subject of transfer speculation - Barcelona, among others, are said to be interested. Still, he isn’t completely writing off a Rashford revival at Old Trafford.

“It would probably be good for Rashford to move on, but you never know. He might be able to come back to Man United and be the best striker this year, we don´t know.”

“I remember watching Rashford under Ralf Rangnick a few years ago, just walking around, and Ferguson would have been chewing him up. He should be running, but he wasn´t moving.”

“It never happened, but all of a sudden he was sprinting around at Aston Villa, so maybe something was going on with the manager.”

“A few years ago, I said they should go for a player like Ollie Watkins or Bryan Mbeumo, but the biggest problem is that Man United are not creating enough chances.”

The odds of Rashford being at Barcelona by the start of September are currently 4/7 - and for our American friends, you can use our odds converter to see just how favoured that move has become.

Read more on Clayton Blackmore believing that Manchester United should consider re-signing David de Gea