Rio Ferdinand believes Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be a ‘fantastic signing’ for Manchester United

It is no secret that a striker is one of the areas of concern for Manchester United. Anthony Martial did a good job playing up-front last season. But the Frenchman has struggled to replicate his form this time around. Besides, question marks have always lingered over his abilities to play as the main target man for a club of United’s stature. Summer signing Edinson Cavani has been a breath of fresh air. The Uruguayan has looked the type of striker the club needed whenever he has been fit.

At 34, it is not clear for how long Cavani can keep delivering. With his future at the club reportedly uncertain, buying a centre-forward this summer could be high on the club’s agenda. Among the various players being linked with the team, former club defender Rio Ferdinand has an interesting choice. He has urged Manchester United to go after Everton’s man in-form Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Ferdinand has told his FIVE YouTube channel: “Listen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin for me, I love him. I’ve watched a lot of Everton this year and he’s one that unnerves defenders. He’s not one you want to play against week in, week out. He’s aggressive, he attacks the ball.”

The former English centre-back has also explained about what he likes in Calvert-Lewin. “I was speaking to Carlo Ancelotti earlier this year and he mentioned [Filippo] Inzaghi and said he didn’t need many chances to score goals and he scores goals in and around the six-yard box,” he added.

“I look at Calvert-Lewin this season and he’s listened to that, he’s taken that on board. Obviously, he seems a real good student of the game and he’s started putting that into his own game.”

Steady rise

The 24-year-old forward has enjoyed a steady rise of late. On the back of a 15-goal last season, he has stepped up to net 19 times in all competitions this campaign. His impressive domestic run has earned him an England berth. With the Euros not far away, Calvert-Lewin could become an able deputy to Harry Kane in the national set-up.

“We’ve seen the rewards he’s had, he’s got into the England squad by scoring loads of goals in and around the six-yard box, scoring those ugly goals. I think he’d be a fantastic signing for Manchester United.”

“It’s one out of left field a little bit but I think he’d have a big impact. He’d get on the end of the things created by Fernandes, Pogba, [Marcus] Rashford, [Mason] Greenwood, etc,” Ferdinand added.