Rio Ferdinand has urged Manchester United to explore a move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and criticised the club for failing to rival Chelsea for Danny Welbeck.
Watkins looks set to leave Aston Villa before the summer transfer window closes after being left out of the matchday squad for Sunday's 4-0 defeat at Brighton. Unai Emery confirmed interest from Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal and refused to guarantee the 30-year-old would remain at the club beyond the deadline.
Emery admits Watkins uncertainty
Speaking before the weekend defeat, Emery said: 'We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player, we have had offers for him.'
'I don't want to sell him but it can change because if it's a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving.'
Watkins has scored 108 goals for Aston Villa since joining from Brentford in 2020 and is the club's record Premier League scorer. He was selected in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup earlier in the summer but barely featured.
Ferdinand questions United's striker plans
Arsenal expressed interest in Watkins in January, and Ferdinand believes Manchester United should also consider a move. The club's £73m signing Benjamin Sesko was named on the bench for Saturday's shock defeat to Hull City, with Matheus Cunha leading the line.
United have focused on midfield additions this summer, bringing in Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba. Ferdinand, speaking on his YouTube channel, said: 'The big question is, does United's budget stretch to go and get an Ollie Watkins or someone like that now?'
He also criticised the club for not pursuing Welbeck, who joined Chelsea earlier in the summer. 'If Danny Welbeck was on the market, and he clearly was, that's one who Man United should have gone for because he could still have had an important role to play despite being happy to be on the bench at this stage of his career.'
Ferdinand added: 'Manchester United need to set their stall out in a realistic manner. We can't pretend that Man United should be going for the Premier League title this season. I think they will finish in the top-four and I would be happy with top-four.'
