Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United should have explored a deal for Porto striker Mehdi Taremi ahead of Wout Weghorst.
United are in the market for a new striker this month and have held extensive talks to sign Weghorst, who is currently on loan at Besiktas from Burnley.
Mehdi Taremi has been in impressive form for Porto this season (Quality Sport Images/Getty)
Erik ten Hag’s side have already seen their first offer rejected as they attempt to persuade Besiktas to cancel Weghorst’s season-long loan.
But Ferdinand feels United should make a move for Taremi, who has scored 14 goals in 20 appearances for Porto this season, while the 30-year-old impressed for Iran at the World Cup as he scored twice in the 6-2 defeat to England.
Taremi currently has a €60 million (£53m) release clause in his deal with Porto, which expires next year.
When United’s move for Weghorst was raised on YouTube show Vibe with Five, Ferdinand said: ‘I’d have gone and got Taremi in from Porto.’
Manchester United are in talks to sign Wout Weghorst who is on loan at Besiktas from Burnley (ANP via Getty)
Ferdinand also explained why United should prioritise a move for Tottenham striker Harry Kane in the summer window.
‘Get Harry Kane in, Spurs fans I’m sorry, you’re not going to win anything, he ain’t going to win anything at Spurs,’ Ferdinand said.
‘They’re in a bit of turmoil at the minute. Man United, in the summer, let’s go and find a No.9 for the next three or four years to hang our hat on, to get you 20, 25 goals a season every year, where are you going?
Rio Ferdinand says Harry Kane should be Manchester United’s top target in the summer (Getty)
‘If you go outside the Premier League it’s a risk, I don’t care what level, unless you’re talking to [Kylian] Mbappe. Outside that everything’s a risk.
‘It’s massive money, 100 million, 120 million, [Victor] Osimhen, you’re getting charged. You’re paying big dough for these guys.
‘You’re going to have to pay big money for Harry Kane but at least you know you’re getting a man who’s getting you 20, 25 goals a season. We can ask, ‘does he suit the play?’, the man scores 20, 25 goals. Harry Kane can’t be going anywhere but Man United.’
Di’Shon Bernard pictured training with Manchester United first team ahead of Carabao Cup tie
Erik ten Hag has held his final Manchester United training session ahead of the Carabao Cup tie with Charlton Athletic.
There were a couple of notable faces involved too, including centre-back Di’Shon Bernard.
Bernard has not made a competitive first team appearance for Manchester United since his debut against Astana in 2019.
He did however feature in United’s winter pre-season friendly against Cadiz, playing the second 45 minutes.
While Bernard is not likely going to be in United’s side to face Charlton, he could have an outside shot of making the substitutes bench.
The 22-year-old has 58 combined appearances on loan for Salford City and Hull City, and could head out on loan this month. Whatever the future holds, it was a good experience for him to train as part of Erik ten Hag’s squad earlier today.
Another interesting name to feature was Facundo Pellistri, who is still awaiting his Manchester United debut.
Surely the Uruguay international winger will get some minutes against Charlton from the bench, and an opportunity to show what he is capable of?
Brandon Williams also featured, along with Zidane Iqbal and Kobbie Mainoo. While we don’t expect any unusual team selection gambles in the quarter-final, a few of these players could feature on the bench.
If United can build up a healthy lead, it would provide an opportunity to experiment, and rest stars ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby.
Source: metro.co.uk; unitedinfocus.com
