Manchester United could have done with another striker this summer, and Rio Ferdinand believes Karim Benzema would have been the perfect answer to their current problems up front.
Manchester United spent heavily on midfielders during the summer, bringing in Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a combined £155 million. What they did not do was add another established No.9 to support Benjamin Sesko and replace Joshua Zirkzee.
That decision could become more important with Sesko dealing with another injury setback.
Ferdinand wants United to add Karim Benzema up front
Rio Ferdinand believes United need someone capable of sharing the workload with Sesko rather than leaving the Slovenian as their only natural focal point.
“If you knew you had to manage his [Sesko] minutes, I totally agree with you. Without him, there isn’t really a focal point,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel, quoted by The Metro.
The former United defender feels the current attacking options can often drift towards the ball, leaving the team without a striker occupying the central areas.
“We’ve got players that want to come deep to the ball more often than not and get involved in the build-up, and then you lose that focal point out there,” he added.
The answer, Ferdinand believes, would have been an experienced forward who could play regularly while also helping Sesko adapt to the demands of leading the line.
He named two players who fit that description: former United academy striker Danny Welbeck and Karim Benzema.
“Welbeck springs to mind, obviously, so does Benzema. Two players I feel would have added huge value to the forward line that we have.”
Danny Welbeck was linked with a move to United but went on to sign for Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea.
United are set to face Tottenham next after the international break, and Benjamin Sesko is an injury concern. Michael Carrick may start with Matheus Cunha once again, but Rio Ferdinand’s argument is that United needed an experienced option upfront.
