Man Utd want Brighton ‘freak’ Evan Ferguson

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 26 Mar 2023 14:38 BST
• 4 min read

Manchester United are ready to make a summer transfer move for Brighton striker Evan Ferguson, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag’s side are in the market for at least one centre-forward this summer since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo in November, with Wout Weghorst added on loan as a stop-gap option.

Ferguson, 18, has emerged as one possible option, Football Insider reports, with the Ireland international having caught the eye in recent weeks with his blistering performances for club and on debut for country.

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“How quick it has happened is probably surprising, but everyone can see how talented he is,” Brighton team-mate Andrew Moran said. “He’s a freak, such a good player. He’s so good and for his age is so physically able. I wouldn’t say it’s too surprising. I always knew he would be a joke.”

Man Utd are thought to have made Harry Kane of Tottenham their leading transfer target for the summer, but Ferguson has been likened to England’s recorded goal scorer by ex-Ireland international John Aldridge.

“Evan Ferguson could be an Irish version of Harry Kane,” Aldridge told Sunday World. "He reminds me of Kane in so many ways and that is a big compliment.

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“We don't want to put too much pressure on the lad at 18, but the hype is inevitable as we have been waiting a long time for an Irish striker to break through.

“I really like what I've seen from him at Brighton. His movement off the ball is so good for a kid of his age and his finishing is top class.

“I see some of myself in him as well. He likes to play on the shoulder of centre-backs and seems to have great timing on his runs for a player who is so young.

“It’s early days, but Ireland have been crying out for a striker who can score goals at the highest level and we can be optimistic that Evan could answer the call.”

Irish football expert Ronan Murphy on Evan Ferguson

Ferguson is the third youngest goal scorer for the Republic of Ireland, and the youngest since Robbie Keane in 1998. The Ireland national team has been calling out for someone who could put the ball in the net on a regular basis, with managers Martin O'Neill and Mick McCarthy both lamenting that they "no longer had a Robbie Keane" during their time in charge of the Boys in Green.

Current boss Stephen Kenny handed 18-year-old Ferguson his first international start against Latvia, and was rewarded with a scruffy goal in a 3-2 win. The goal won't win any awards, but is exactly the kind of goal that Keane was scoring for Ireland two decades earlier.

Instinctive with good positioning, Ferguson seems like the next natural goal scorer for Ireland, but on top of that, his hold-up and link-up play is excellent.