Man Utd backed to pull off risky Aston Villa raid after Liverpool, Man City rejection claim
Manchester United is investigating January moves, despite the risk involved, after learning that acquiring an Aston Villa star would significantly improve their status.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has predicted there will be plenty of pyrotechnics despite Erik ten Hag’s public vow Man Utd will oversee a calm winter window.
On Sunday, the reliable source said that Ten Hag’s attempts to downplay his expectations are a ruse. The Dutch manager and Man Utd’s executives have in fact already talked about who they should sign in the coming month.
Two players are needed: a striker to relieve some of the load on Rasmus Hojlund and a center-back. Despite making twelve appearances, the Dane has failed to open his Premier League account.
United has its sights set on Timo Werner, Lois Openda, and Serhou Guirassy of RB Leipzig.
Don Goodman, a pundit and Sky Sports commentator, asserts that United need only glance to Villa Park.
In statements published by The MirrorMan Utd should target Ollie Watkins, Goodman advised.
The 27-year-old has returned 16 goal contributions in 16 EPL matches this season and his relentless workrate ensures he’s always making an impact even if not on the scoresheet.
Goodman claimed he doesn’t believe Watkins would join Liverpool or Man City. His reasoning stemmed from who those clubs already have at their disposal, with Watkins likely to be relegated to the bench at Anfield or the Etihad.
The story would be different at Old Trafford, however, and Goodman insisted Watkins would instantly elevate Ten Hag’s side.
However, one look at the Premier League table suggests Watkins would have to carefully weigh up ditching Villa for United in the event they acted on their interest.
Villa are very much a club on the rise and have thrust themselves into the title conversation following back-to-back victories over Man City and Arsenal. Man Utd, meanwhile, have lost 11 of their 23 ,matches across all competitions this season.
As such, Watkins to Man Utd would be a risk, but primarily for the player.
Man Utd need Watkins more than Watkins needs Man Utd
Goodman stated, “I don’t think Ollie Watkins would go to either Man City or Liverpool.” Darwin Nunez is going to be huge, in my opinion.
“We’ll be saying it was worth the wait when the opportunities he’s missing start flying in the back of the nett in due course.
“Watkins may or may not be an Arsenal type. One team, Manchester United, is the one I believe he would immediately raise.
“But in my opinion, Man Utd is a mid-table team if you take away their name and history. It’s Aston Villa, the superior team.
Nothing this season has shown me that Man Utd isn’t a mid-table team.
Watkins would undoubtedly help Manchester United, but I think he would be better suited staying at Aston Villa for the foreseeable future.
On October 6, Watkins signed a new contract that will keep him at Villa Park until 2028. Watkins wouldn’t be leaving for Manchester United very soon, even with Emery performing wonders in the midlands.
In 2024, the Red Devils will likely need a new figurehead and may have to spend a lot of money after Sir Jim Ratcliffe completes his ownership.
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