Lee Sharpe believes Manchester United should have pursued a deal for Ollie Watkins to bolster Michael Carrick’s options in attack. Watkins looks set to leave Aston Villa before the summer transfer window closes after missing the club’s opening Premier League game on Sunday.
The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the dismal 4-0 defeat at Brighton, with the English striker now set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal in a move worth £50million. United were linked with a move for Watkins earlier in the summer, but have prioritised signings in central midfield options over other areas of the squad.
Sharpe: Watkins would have been an 'ideal buy'
But former Red Devils winger Sharpe believes the club may have missed a trick by not making a move for Watkins, particularly after their 2-0 defeat at Hull City on opening day that exposed their lack of depth in the striker position.
‘I think he would be an ideal buy,’ Sharpe told Metro. ‘He holds the ball up well, he’s quick, he scores goals and I think he’s at the age where he would have come in and not been overawed by Manchester United and what would have been expected of him as a number nine.
‘I think he would have thrived and been be a great signing and Sesko would learn so much from him.
‘It looks like he has looked at Saudi for the wages towards the end of his career, but I definitely think he could have come to Man United and had success for two or three years.
‘He’d have been great to have around the club and great for Sesko so I wonder whether they might have missed a trick there.’
Zirkzee backed as alternative option
With Sesko still working his way back to full fitness, Matheus Cunha led the line for United on opening day but struggled to make an impact. Instead, Sharpe would like to see Carrick turn Joshua Zirkzee as an alternative centre-forward option despite his underwhelming impact at Old Trafford since arriving in 2024.
‘I’m really surprised when Sesko’s not playing, especially against teams that play five and just defend at the back, why they don’t play a little bit more of Zirkzee,’ Sharpe, speaking via Ignition Australia added. ‘I think he has really great feet. I think he has ability to beat people. He’s good in tight areas, he’s really creative. I wouldn’t mind seeing him as a number nine.
‘When you’re dominating possession and you’re playing against a back five and four midfielders sat just in front of them, you need people that can play in tight areas, that can beat people in tight spaces.
‘And I think Zirkzee has got all that and I’m surprised they don’t, if not start him, at least bring him on for the last half an hour when they need goals.’
Shearer calls for another striker
In an exclusive interview with Metro, Alan Shearer also called for United to add more depth in attack before the September 1 transfer deadline. ‘I do think for them to go to the next level they need another striker,’ Shearer told Metro. ‘I don’t think they’re good enough defensively, but I do think they’re also lacking in the centre-forward position.
‘Clearly, Sesko wasn’t fit. They brought him on in the second half and he missed a couple of decent chances, but I do think that to go to the next level, they might need another centre-forward.
‘Having said that, I guess you could say that with many clubs. Where do you get them from? That’s the big thing.’
Baleba backed to succeed at United
While Watkins may not be coming through the door, United recently confirmed Carlos Baleba as their latest summer signing. The former Brighton midfielder’s form dipped somewhat last season, but Sharpe is confident that the 22-year-old can still hit great heights at Old Trafford.
‘I think you’ve got to trust the people at United that have been watching him,’ he added. ‘There was obviously really strong interest at the end of the season before last and the price was huge. He didn’t have a great season, but was that because his head got turned at the start of last season by United?
‘I think the fact that he’s an athlete, he’s strong, he’s quick, he’s happy to carry the ball forward, he breaks up play naturally when he’s not got the ball.
‘I think he fits the bill for Manchester United. I think he’s young enough, I think he can come through. I think he’s got people like Tielemans and Mainoo to learn off.
‘I think he’s going to the right place, I think he’s probably going at the right time. I think United have probably got him for the right money as well, which helps. I think he’s going to be great.’
