Manchester United could repeat their historic purchase of Wayne Rooney if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS replace Erik ten Hag with Graham Potter this summer. The Red Devils are expected to look for a new striker at the end of the season, and Potter may help fuel their chase of one of the Premier League’s most exciting prospects.
In August 2004, United spent more than £30 million to beat Newcastle United to the signing of young Everton striker Wayne Rooney.
Over the next 13 years, Rooney established himself as one of United’s finest players and all-time leading goalscorers, scoring 253 goals in 559 games.
He also accomplished the mark for England, scoring 53 goals in 120 appearances before current captain Harry Kane eclipsed his total.
Rooney was a key figure in Manchester United’s era of dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, and he has been sorely missed in the dressing room since his departure in 2017.
While Potter would be a polarizing appointment among fans, bringing Evan Ferguson to Old Trafford would go a long way toward winning them over.
Ferguson, 19, is a year older than Rooney when he joined M16, but both are regarded as one of Europe’s most promising teenage talents.
Ferguson joined Brighton from Bohemians in his native Ireland in 2021, where he excelled in the club’s junior divisions before making his senior debut in August of the same year.
Last month, The Sun revealed that United were planning to replace Ten Hag with Potter if they opted to break ways with the Dutchman at the start of their cultural reset.
It was even alleged that Ratcliffe had met with the former Brighton and Chelsea manager after selecting him as his favorite option.
Potter has already stated how highly he regards Ferguson, who has 34 goals and nine assists in 94 outings for Brighton’s main squad and U23s.
In January 2022, Potter told Sussex Live: “I’ve been really impressed with him in training; he’s got great movement.
“You can see his characteristics and goals. They are not by accident, that is for certain. He understands where he should be in the box and how to get around the defense.
“The more he stays with us, the better he will become. The guys at the academy have done an excellent job with him. Now it’s time for the following stage.
“We need to take it at the right pace for him, but while he’s in the first team, it’s a great experience for him.”
Rasmus Hojlund will need competition after Anthony Martial’s contract expires in June. Ferguson is a fascinating alternative, whether or not Potter is at the helm.