Amad Diallo’s late hattrick at Old Trafford on Thursday spared Manchester United’s blushes against bottom-of-the-league Southampton with the Saints making the Red Devils look distinctly average for most of the game.
Rasmus Hojlund was almost invisible up front, failing to hold on to the ball under pressure and constantly handing possession back to the visitors.
The Dane has not scored for over a month now and following Joshua Zirkzee’s impressive cameo, the Dutchman is expected to be handed a rare start against Brighton on Sunday.
However, the former Bologna ace only has four goals this season and looks more adept at linking up play as compared to finishing chances off.
United need a ruthless finisher
With Marcus Rashford also set for an exit, Ruben Amorim is crying out for a ruthless finisher as he seeks to help the club out of their current predicament.
The Portuguese knows that very little in terms of help in January is on the cards and he will likely have to wait until summer to land his desired finisher.
Viktor Gyokeres seems a realistic target for next summer but journalist Ben Jacobs (via TBR Football) has added an interesting name into the mix: Ivan Toney.
The England international was a long-term target for the Old Trafford side back when Erik ten Hag was in charge but the ex-Brentford striker decided to leave the Premier League for the riches of the Saudi Pro League, linking up with former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino at Al-Ahli.
Toney has struggled in Saudi
But despite the obvious difference in the levels of both the leagues, the 28-year-old has not found it easy there, managing only four league goals in 12 appearances.
However, his record in cup competitions has been much better, netting four goals from six AFC Champions League Elite and one in one in the King’s Cup.
As per Jacobs, the England international might not remain in Saudi Arabia for too long with a summer exit or January 2026 departure on the cards.
“I would still just keep, in the back pocket if you like, an eye on Ivan Toney. That’s because we know Manchester United have looked in the past.
“There’s nothing to suggest yet that Toney’s chapter in Saudi is going to come to an end, and I certainly wouldn’t want to fuel belief that Manchester United are active on it yet.
Toney deal back on?
“But I hear from a lot of sources that come the summer or maybe even January 2026 that the Toney situation is going to be one to watch.”
Toney had chosen to snub United due to the wages on offer in Saudi as well as his lack of pressing up front, which Ten Hag had flagged as a concern.
His current form seems to suggest Toney would not be a gamechanger for Amorim but maybe he could work as a backup option. Al-Ahli are likely to demand the £40 million they had paid the Bees to let him go and INEOS would be better served spending that amount on other targets.
This report needs to be taken with a pinch of salt given the Englishman’s form since leaving these shores.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
