Recent reports from Manchester Evening News state that Manchester United are interested in signing former Liverpool striker Danny Ings in the upcoming transfer window as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks set to add to his options in the striker department.
The report further states that the Englishman has been left disappointed by Southampton’s disastrous second-half campaign and is willing to leave if a fair deal is put on the table. Furthermore, with a £30m price tag (as stated in the print edition of the Sunday Mirror (page 73)) and £75k weekly wages, the United board believes that Ings could be a cheaper alternative to both Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.
Danny Ings’ Excellent Numbers At St Mary’s
Despite making only 25 league appearances, Danny Ings has managed to put up some awe-inspiring numbers on the board this season – netting 12 goals and bagging 4 assists over the course. Besides, with 2 shots, 0.8 key passes, 1.1 dribbles and 0.4 long balls per 90 minutes in the English top-flight, the 28-year-old striker has been one of the most threatening players of his team this term. Of course, it goes without saying that Ings would excel in a better system with a better set of players around him – something Solskjaer is well aware of. Furthermore, with 17.4 passes played per game with a success rate of 66.1%, the Englishman is capable of dropping deep to facilitate his side’s attacking gameplay.
However, his injury record at St. Mary’s has been worrying so far. But the fact that he has scored 38 goals over the past two seasons despite occasional setbacks strictly underlines how reliable he is in front of the goal.
Is He Really Needed At The Old Trafford?
With options like Edinson Cavani, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood up top, one might believe that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn’t need to invest in strikers in the summer transfer window. It’s true, to some extent. But, other than Cavani, none of them are out-and-out goalscorer like Ings. Martial’s inconsistency is worrying at times, and 19-year-old Greenwood still has a long way to go before he can make the position his own.
So, a deal for the Saints star makes sense indeed. Perhaps, he could act as a short-term option until and unless United invest in a better striker.
Here’s what Dimitar Berbatov had to say about the deal.
“Ings is a good player, and I really rate him, but I don’t think he is what United need at the moment.” – The ex-United striker said.
“The club have pretty much everything they need in the striking department at the moment, lots of experience and pace.”
“Edinson Cavani keeps scoring, proving his worth and proving how good a decision it was to give him a contract extension; he scored an unbelievable goal the other day. So, with all this in mind going for Danny Ings makes no sense to me.”
