Man Utd told they signed the wrong striker despite promising Hojlund debut

Manchester United have been warned that they signed the wrong striker in the summer. Erik ten Hag brought in Rasmus Hojlund but former Liverpool winger Jason McAteer believes Brighton’s Evan Ferguson would have been a better acquisition.

United spent much of the summer transfer window pursuing Hojlund. Harry Kane was their initial top target but a deal for the England captain was deemed too expensive.

Hojlund had just one season in Serie A but Atalanta dug in for a hefty fee of £72million. He missed the start of the new season due to injury but made an impressive cameo off the bench during the 3-1 loss at Arsenal last weekend.

But despite that, McAteer has questioned why United didn’t pursue Ferguson instead. Ferguson scored a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle last time out to further enhance his reputation as one of the Premier League’s hottest prospects.

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He doesn’t turn 19 until next month but McAteer believes he has already done enough to earn a big move. McAteer told BoyleSports: “I know Brighton have sold a few of their players in the last 12 months in a couple of windows. I understand that but what I don’t understand is how no one’s gone for Evan Ferguson.

“I mean, Hojlund coming to Manchester United from Atalanta at £70m, who has yet to prove himself on any stage in all honesty. You’ve got [Victor] Osimhen valued at £120m, and he had a fantastic season with Napoli.

“But Ferguson for me has shown enough quality over the last 12 months to warrant a move. I don’t want to be disrespectful to Brighton, but I’ve no idea why no one took a chance on him now.

“I think he would have been perfect for Manchester United and a lot of clubs, the likes of Tottenham, if you looked at the teams around who were looking for strikers, how he’s not moved from Brighton is beyond me. He’s got every attribute to be a top-class striker. He showed it over the weekend. He can handle any stage.

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“Newcastle had one of the best defensive records last year. He tore them apart at the weekend scoring his hat-trick.”

McAteer believes Ferguson also has the mental attributes to be a top striker. He added: “He seems to be able to handle the pressure. I don’t know whether that’s the Irish in him where he’s been brought up that way and he can just absorb it and get on with it. He doesn’t seem to be affected.

“He’s had a really good 18 months and [Roberto] De Zerbi is a fantastic coach. I’ve no idea why no one’s taken a punt on him. But it’s Brighton’s gain.”

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