Ferdinand: Manchester United should target experienced striker, not Mathys Tel

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has advised manager Ruben Amorim to target an experienced striker rather than pursuing Bayern Munich’s young talent, Mathys Tel.
Tel, who has been linked with several Premier League clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal, recently rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur. Despite his potential, Ferdinand believes United’s current needs lie in securing a seasoned goalscorer, rather than another emerging talent.
United are looking to bolster their attack, with current strikers Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund struggling to find the back of the net. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford continues to be sidelined from the team.
While Ferdinand acknowledges Tel’s impressive skills, including his pace and versatility as a centre-forward, he feels the 18-year-old would not address United’s immediate needs.
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“Mathys Tel, French kid, he is a mad talent,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel. “I’ve seen him up close, come on in a game in the Champions League for Bayern Munich and score a goal, a really good finish. He has pace, ability, and can play different areas of the striker role.”
However, Ferdinand believes that United would benefit more from bringing in an experienced striker who can guide the younger forwards.
“We’ve got Zirkzee, we’ve got Hojlund, two players I think need somebody around them who they can go, ‘okay, that’s what you do’, and can talk to them and show them how to become the real deal centre-forward.”
Ferdinand also raised concerns about blocking the progress of young talent like Chido Obi Martin, recently signed from Arsenal, if another young striker like Tel is added to the squad.
“If Tel was to sign from Bayern Munich on a permanent, maybe one of the other two goes. Maybe that happens. But we need experience up front right now,” he concluded.