Rio Ferdinand gives verdict on Man Utd signing Mathys Tel after Tottenham snub

Rio Ferdinand says that while Mathys Tel is a ‘mad talent’ he is unsure whether Manchester United should sign the Bayern Munich star.

Tel has emerged as a top target for several Premier League clubs in the last few days of the January transfer window.

United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Aston Villa are all interested in the forward’s services but it appeared Tottenham had won the race for his signature.

Spurs agreed a £50million deal with Bayern but on Friday evening it was reported that Tel had rejected their proposal and the move had collapsed.

With the transfer race back on, the Red Devils would surely be looking to get this deal done with Ruben Amorim’ side struggling for goals with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee underwhelming, while Marcus Rashford remains exiled.

Tel, 19, is a player Ferdinand rates very highly but maybe one that United don’t really need at the moment, with the former England defender once again calling for Amorim to sign an experienced goalscorer.

‘Mathys Tel, French kid, he is a mad talent,’ United legend Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.

‘I’ve seen him close up, come on in a game in the Champions League for Bayern Munich and score a goal, a really good finish. Centre-forward, can play different areas of the striker role, has pace, has ability.

‘I think he’s been at Bayern Munich for a while and hasn’t been getting the opportunities he wants and that his ability deserves. He needs to play.

‘Could he be one that Man United go for? I think in the striker’s position Man United needs some experience.

‘We got Zirkzee, we’ve got Hojlund, two players I think need somebody around them who they can go, “okay, that’s what you do”, and can talk to them and show them how to become the real deal centre-forward.

‘I think that’s what we’re missing in that area of the football pitch. So to buy another young one when you’ve got Chido [Obi Martin] as well who you’ve bought from Arsenal, are you then stopping his way into the first-team?

‘So there’s a lot to consider. If Tel was to sign from Bayern Munich on a permanent maybe one of the other two goes, maybe that happens.’

United look set to make their first major transfer of the Amorim era with Patrick Dorgu joining from Lecce while they have also agreed to sign Geovany Quenda in the summer.

Regardless of who or if they sign a centre-forward, United’s Premier League form must improve, with the club hosting Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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