Ferdinand: Osimhen Would "100%" Join United If They Made Their Move

Rio Ferdinand has backed Victor Osimhen to be a Manchester United player if the club makes a serious push for his signature. Speaking on his YouTube channel with Asamoah Gyan, the former defender was adamant about the Galatasaray striker's interest in a move to Old Trafford.

"Osimhen will come to United, if United offer to take Osimhen, he would go, 100%," Ferdinand declared, highlighting the striker's quality and commitment as precisely what the club needs.

The Nigerian forward has been a long-standing target for United, though he complicated matters by signing a permanent four-year contract with Galatasaray last summer following his loan from Napoli for £65m. Since then, he's been prolific in Turkey, notching 49 goals in 57 appearances.

Galatasaray's valuation tells its own story: they're demanding €140m (£121m) for their prized asset. That figure towers above what United paid for Benjamin Sesko this summer at £74m, and likely sits well beyond the club's current spending appetite.

Gyan had opened the discussion by noting United's striking shortcomings compared to Osimhen's proven pedigree. "That is the type of striker we need right now," he observed, "we have Mbeumo on the side doing what he needs to do."

Away from the striker debate, there's movement on the wider front. Jason Wilcox, the Director of Football, appears ready to bend to caretaker manager Michael Carrick's tactical requirements, with plans accelerating to sign a left-sided winger before the window shuts.

Carrick's preferred 3-4-3 system relies on inverted wide players, exposing a glaring gap in United's squad. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo represent the only natural wide forwards available, and both favour the right flank. Matheus Cunha deputised on the left during the FA Cup defeat to Brighton, but he's far from a long-term solution.

The club had pursued Antoine Semenyo in late December before he opted for Manchester City in a £65m transfer. Rather than match that outlay elsewhere, United's recruitment team is now exploring loan options to fill the void. With finances tight, a temporary arrival appears the most realistic path forward before the transfer deadline arrives.