Laurie Whitwell spoke last night about many things regarding United including the Bryan Mbeumo deal which at this moment, has become one of the most boring topics in football.
He also spoke about the future of current striker Hojlund and how he looks more out than in at Old Trafford and that whatever happens to him will allow United to know what to do with Ollie Watkins.
"I do think it is linked to Rasmus Højlund's future, because if he goes, and I'm speaking to people and it feels like it's perhaps more likely than not at this stage. Even a sale perhaps more likely than a loan, I think so. Inter are there firmly", Whitwell speaking on Talk ofthe Devils podcast.
We know of the reports of both Hojlund to Inter and the links between United and Watkins.
We know that there has been a lot of talk about Hojlund potentially going back to Italy with a move to the Champions League runners up on the cards. That deal is still possible.
All of the Watkins talk came out in the past week. United have been linked with every striker in football (it seems) but as plan A targets look to have disappeared (Gyokeres potentially to Arsenal, Osimhen wages too high), others have emerged with the Villa man being one of them.
Whitwell then came out with that statement above and I don't understand why United would do such a thing, if what he's saying can be believed.
There was talk that Hojlund apparently wants to stay and prove himself. He had a terrible campaign last year scoring just 12 goals and grabbing only 4 assists in 40+ appearances.
More than those poor numbers, his overall game was dire resulting in many fans being fed up with the Dane.
This also isn't the first time United have been linked with Watkins as there was talk in 2023 and 2024 of a potential deal for the striker.
The England international wasn't as prolific last season compared to the 23/24 season but still scored a strong 17 goals and had 10 assists, far more than either of Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee (7 goals, 3 assists).
Watkins is also far more experienced than both Hojlund and Zirkzee in addition to being a better forward. On top of it all, he has that Premier League experience which is always a positive.
Watkins may also want out of Villa due to some tension between him and manager Unai Emery.
The forward has seen reduced game time in the past season with Emery even preferring United's own Marcus Rashford instead of him in certain big games like Man City and the Champions League against PSG. Rashford was on loan from January while Watkins has been at the club since 2020.
Watkins was understandably unhappy with being left on the bench for such games and even came out and said that he was "fuming" and "I let [Emery] know that... I'm not one of these players happy to sit on the bench."
A public rift with the manager? Mmm, where have we seen that before?
Reports suggest Villa would want a fee of around £60m for Watkins who is contracted to the club until 2028.
Final Thoughts
I like Watkins. I think he's a good striker and has been quite consistent throughout his time at Villa. In 184 PL matches, Watkins has 75 goals and 36 assists, a goal contribution rate of 60% which is a very strong return.
He also has that experience which we need up front and ticks a lot of the boxes for what our striker requires: clinical edge, strength, speed and can give us a bit of dynamism because of his attributes.
But for £60m? For a 29 year old? Who's had a public spat with the manager? That is a bit much.
Garnacho is probably worth £60m as well but because of his issues with the manager which everyone knows about, his value has dropped. Why not the same for Watkins?
As for Hojlund being more out than in, I'm not too fussed about it. I wouldn't mind Hojlund staying as long as we get that experienced centre-forward. Watkins could be that player but I'd rather look elsewhere.
Gyokeres and Osimhen are still on the cards and if we definitely can't get them and Watkins was the only choice, then I might be open to it.
I'm also not sure why Hojlund has to go in order for this to happen. I get that we would still have Zirkzee and potentially Chido Obi as backups as well as the fact that Cunha and Mbeumo (if he comes) can do a job up front, but I'd prefer if we had two proper strikers, not players who can do a job nor is a youngster.
There are several other players who can be sold to raise funds if money is a problem.
This isn't a deal I'd do unless there's no other option.
Rasmus Hojlund is more 'out than in' at Man Utd | Rasmus Hojlund: Image credit: Getty Images via Goal
Ollie Watkins is a striker target for Man Utd | Ollie Watkins: Image credit: Getty Images via Goal