“I warned against depending on him too much but you didn’t listen. Now we are going to face the consequences. I just knew that he was going to flop soon. He was nowhere to be found against Ipswich Town” – This is according to Chelsea legend Joe Cole as he had cautioned Chelsea against depending too much on an attacker following his performance against Ipswich Town.

Manchester United has been cautioned against making an official bid for Brentford’s star striker, Ivan Toney, despite earlier speculation linking him to some of the Premier League’s most prominent clubs.

Toney, a regular in the England national team, was expected to be among the most sought-after forwards during the summer transfer window. However, to date, no major club—including Manchester United—has taken concrete steps toward securing his services.

The prolific striker had been heavily associated with potential moves to clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United. Yet, Tottenham opted to strengthen their squad by signing Bournemouth’s Dominic Solanke, while Arsenal and Chelsea have shown little interest in pursuing Toney. This lack of activity has prompted questions about whether he is considered a suitable addition to the rosters of these top-tier teams.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has added to the debate, openly questioning Toney’s compatibility with Manchester United’s current objectives. Ferdinand expressed doubts about whether the 28-year-old forward aligns with the club’s strategy and future plans. Speaking through the Daily Mail, Ferdinand remarked, “Personally, I wouldn’t go for someone like Ivan Toney. I think the age and that profile are wrong for the club.

I just don’t see it as a fit. I find it strange. He was someone everyone talked about going to Arsenal or Chelsea for £80m or £100m, but now there are no bids. I’m mystified as to why that is. For Manchester United, I just don’t see it as a fit.”

Toney’s impressive performance during the 2022-23 Premier League season cannot be overlooked. He netted 20 goals in 33 appearances, making him the league’s third-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

Despite this, Manchester United has already bolstered their attacking options during the current transfer window, notably by signing Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee. Their current squad also features promising young striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Nevertheless, recent reports suggest that United may still be interested in acquiring another forward before the transfer window closes. As the window enters its final weeks, Manchester United’s next moves in the transfer market are likely to draw significant attention from fans and analysts alike.