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Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand reckons Ivan Toney doesn't fit the profile of player Erik ten Hag needs at the moment. The Brentford striker is linked with the Red Devils, and he has a year left on his contract.
Toney, 28, has been constantly touted as an option to bolster Ten Hag's frontline. Ferdinand argued that his age and profile doesn't suit the club's new transfer strategy (via his X account):
"I wouldn't go for someone like Ivan Toney. I rate him as a player but I just think the age that profile's wrong for the club and the way it's gone into this transfer window with the new ownership. So I just don't see it as being a fit."
Brentford were reportedly demanding as much as £80 million for Toney, who has been their protagonist for several years. However, that fee may have decreased due to his contract situation. Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea have not made a concrete move. He is set to start the season at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ferdinand alluded to this and questioned a lack of offers made for the six-cap England international:
"I found it a bit strange that everyone was talking about could go to Chelsea, could go to Arsenal, could go here or there, for a £100 million, £80 million, whatever it was and all of a sudden there's no bidders. I'm a bit mystified as to why that is but for Man United I just don't see it as a fit."
Toney was brilliant during the 2022-23 season before he was hit with a lengthy ban for breaching FA betting rules. He scored 20 goals in 33 league games and finished third in the Golden Boot race behind Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.
The former Newcastle United frontman made an impact at Euro 2024 despite being handed a bit-part role. He assisted Kane for the winner in a 2-1 (a.e.t) win against Slovakia in the last 16 and scored a no-look penalty in a 6-4 (1-1 a.e.t) penalty shootout win against Switzerland.
Manchester United reportedly could make a loan with an obligation to buy offer for Ivan Toney
Manchester United could still capture Toney as the end of the summer transfer window draws close. The Red Devils may look to strike a loan with an obligation to buy late in the window, per The Independent.
Ten Hag has been backed by INEOS this window, and a new forward in the form of Joshua Zirkzee has arrived. The 23-year-old Dutchman arrived from Bologna in a reported £36.5 million deal.
Zirkzee joins Rasmus Hojlund, 21, as Manchester United's two striker options heading into the 2024-25 season. Toney offers more experience and a proven goalscoring resume in English football.
