Paul Parker says Ollie Watkins, NOT Ivan Toney should be United’s top target
Last Updated on May 2, 2024
By Jacob Potter 
2H755K4 Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham. Picture date: Saturday November 20, 2021.
Following Manchester United’s 4-2 win which kept alive their slim hopes of Champions League football, we caught up with former United left back Paul Parker to discuss the upcoming summer window for Manchester United. He touched upon rumours surrounding the future of Jamal Musiala, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
In this article:
- Parker plays down Jamal Musiala United links
- Is Watkins the best all around striker in the league?
Parker plays down Jamal Musiala United links
Recent transfer speculation suggests Manchester United is intensifying its pursuit of Bayern Munich’s dynamic attacking midfielder, Jamal Musiala. In his 161 appearances for Bayern Munich, Musiala has made a significant impact, netting 43 goals and providing 30 assists. Since his rise to prominence, the German international has been a cornerstone for both his club and the national team.
However, the chase for Musiala’s signature doesn’t stop at Old Trafford. Rivals Manchester City and Liverpool are also reportedly eager to bring the young star to the Premier League. Parker has weighed in on the evolving preferences of players in the modern game. He suggests that the allure of traditional football giants like Manchester United and Liverpool may be waning as players increasingly value lifestyle and cultural offerings, with many now preferring to reside in London.
“I think Jamal Musiala is a very, very good player. A lad who was at Chelsea initially. He might be the inspiration for Jude Bellingham for doing what he has done.”
“He is one of the major players at Bayern Munich or maybe the major player at Bayern Munich. He may be the player who might take over from Thomas Muller.”
“Would he join Manchester United from Bayern Munich at his current age? I’d be very, very surprised. I really don’t see that happening.”
“United can talk about any player, football has changed now and United haven’t got the pull they used to have. A lot more players want to come to London now if they want to. Manchester United and Liverpool haven’t got that sway anymore.”
Musiala played for Chelsea at youth level but left for Bayern in 2019 when he was aged just 17. Would the midfielder be open for a return to English football? Parker remains as doubtful about the move as he is about the future of United manager Erik ten Hag.
“In football one of the major keys is the coach and on that side United might have a chance if they keep ten Hag because of his time when he has at Bayern Munich. There might be something there.”
“But with ten Hag’s future uncertain, Musiala might say, ‘why should i go into the unknown, back in to a country that I’ve left behind and don’t know as well as I used to and also leave the lifestyle behind?'”
“Why would he give that all up when he’s playing for one of the biggest and most well-known clubs in world football, and come to Manchester United, an ailing giant?”
In response to this dilemma, Manchester United is reportedly considering a move for Brentford’s standout striker, Ivan Toney. Toney’s impressive performance in the Premier League, characterised by his robust physical presence and sharp finishing skills, suggests he could be an excellent addition to United’s squad. His ability to compete at the highest level might provide the necessary depth and increase the competitive environment within the team, potentially elevating both his and Højlund’s game.
Is Ivan Toney the solution to United’s striking issues?
“Ivan Toney? No. Not really.”
“If you are going to bring in another player to give competition to Højlund, in my opinion, it’s not going to be Ivan Toney. It’s going to be somebody of more note than Ivan Toney.”
“You’d say the same about Ivan Toney working with somebody of note. He hasn’t had enough points on the board as a PL striker to be in the position of having an understudy, in my opinion.”
“Does Ivan Toney play as a centre-forward? Not really. He’s trying to play more like a Harry Kane in that sense.”
Is Watkins the best all around striker in the league?
The recent performances of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins have notably impressed commentator Parker, especially after Watkins’s standout display in a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth where he not only scored but also added two assists. Watkins has now accumulated an impressive tally of 12 assists to complement his 19 goals in the Premier League.
Parker has been vocal in his praise for the 28-year-old striker, advocating that Manchester United should consider Watkins as a potential signing to alleviate the pressure on Rasmus Højlund. According to Parker, Watkins’s ability to both create and convert chances makes him a more suitable candidate than Ivan Toney to enhance United’s striking options.
“If you’re going to bring a centre-forward in and you’re going to keep him UK based, in my opinion you bring in (Ollie) Watkins. But he’s going to cost you £100 million and deservedly at that.”
“Ivan Toney, £25-30 million but Watkins has proven his worth every time. The only thing that goes against him is that the English press don’t want to talk about him much. Maybe they’re worried about Harry Kane’s place.”
“I don’t understand why the press doesn’t give him kudos at all. His work rate off the ball, look at how many goals he makes, he’s so unselfish and still scores goals. In every area, he’s the best all-round centre-forward in the league.”
