Former Manchester United defender Danny Simpson has urged the club to sign Ivan Toney as an experienced striker to mentor Benjamin Sesko, following what he describes as a transfer mistake in relying solely on the young Slovenian.
United signed Sesko from RB Leipzig for £74 million in the summer, but with Rasmus Hojlund departing for Napoli and Joshua Zirkzee out of favour under Ruben Amorim, the 22-year-old has been the club's only recognised centre-forward. Simpson believes this places undue pressure on Sesko, who has scored in back-to-back games prior to the international break but is still adjusting to the Premier League.
“When you look at Sesko, I think having an experienced striker with him would be good for him,” Simpson told Metro via MyBettingSites.com. “Then sometimes you can bring him out of the firing line. I do believe they should have two strikers, it just depends whether one’s a bit more senior, just to give him that mentoring role.”
Simpson identified Ivan Toney as a perfect candidate. The England international has scored 26 goals in 34 Saudi Pro League games for Al-Ahli since his £40 million move from Brentford, but his World Cup hopes have faded after featuring in only one of Thomas Tuchel's squads. Simpson believes Toney would be open to a rotation role at Old Trafford, offering both experience and a goal threat.
“He’s obviously got the temperament and he knows the league,” Simpson said. “I actually think because he’s been out in Saudi Arabia, he would now come back to maybe play a different role where you are a rotation option. Coming to a club like Man United and playing a different kind of role might give him a chance to get with England in the summer.”
Paul Scholes had previously criticised United's decision to rely solely on Sesko, comparing it to expecting a young Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to carry the attacking burden without support. Simpson echoed those concerns, suggesting that adding a senior striker like Toney could ease the pressure on Sesko and provide a proven Premier League option.
