Evan Ferguson proves how he’s perfect for Man Utd

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 23 Mar 2023 13:29 GMT
• 4 min read

Evan Ferguson has been back at it again. With each passing day, more and more hype engulfs the teenager, who clearly has a huge future ahead of him.

He proved his worth during Ireland’s 3-2 win over Latvia. In the friendly, the striker started alongside Michael Obafemi, who he linked up well with as his national side earned a victory. Ferguson just keeps scoring, and it was no different at the Aviva Stadium.

This time his goal was a simple tap-in, after a deep cross was pulled back across.

But positionally, Ferguson was there, and that speaks of high footballing intelligence.

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It’s been a breakout season for the attacker. After playing four times across all competitions last season, he had finally found his feet at Brighton.

For the Seagulls this term, he has netted seven goals in 16 games.

Ferguson, a self-confessed Manchester United supporter, has earned a starting place under Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi since the New Year. speculation has proceeded him since then.

The Red Devils are after a new striker for the summer transfer and he could prove a shrewd option, but Brighton are very much invested in him right now.

De Zerbi said to The Argus: "Ferguson is a special striker. I'm working, and my staff are working, to improve him, to become not only a number nine, not only a striker, but in terms of understanding the play, to receive the ball or to attack the space and not only one thing. To complete the player, to complete the guy."

He’s been called Ireland’s answer to Kylian Mbappe, while no doubt similarities would be made between the 18-year-old and legendary Roy Keane if he does make the move to Old Trafford.

What’s so unique about this young star is his technical ability - his goal against Grimsby Town in the FA Cup was a particular highlight of this. A chipped ball was played through to Ferguson in the middle. He brought it down, took it under control and, in one fell swoop, buried it in the corner of the goal.

The moment, some say, resembled a young Dennis Bergkamp, a distinct player of world-class ability whose first touch was arguably the best there ever was. One minor criticism of Bergkamp was his lack of goals, but Ferguson is already smashing them in at an elite level.

Now, following his stunning form and young age, a plethora of clubs are interested in signing him. Man Utd are wanting to bring in a No.9 - with the likes of Harry Kane of Tottenham and Victor Osimhen of Napoli being considered.

Brighton already have the likes of Alexis Mac Allister, Moisés Caicedo, and Kaoru Mitoma all linked with a move away. There is no chance they’ll be selling all four, on top of any sale of Ferguson, so a move would be unlikely.

Man Utd's best option?

But you dare say that Man Utd, if they offered a big enough package, would be paying less for the Irishman than Kane and Osimhen. Ferguson represents, therefore, a cheaper and arguably more popular alternative if he continues in this vein. Fans would love it if a boyhood fan was to make the move.

"It's just gone so quick. There's no break so there is no time to sit back and think about what I am doing," he told RTE.

"It's just week by week, there is another thing going or another game. It's just trying to concentrate on the next."