Former England midfielder Joe Cole has expressed disappointment with Manchester United’s decision not to pursue a deal for Ivan Toney last summer. Speaking to *Paddy Power*, Cole highlighted Toney’s proven goal-scoring ability as exactly what United needed to address their attacking woes.
Toney, who scored 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford, had been linked with moves to several Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United, as he entered the final year of his contract. However, the 28-year-old striker ultimately moved to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli for £40 million on deadline day after serving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules.
While United did sign Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee over the summer, Cole argued that Toney’s personality and goal-scoring prowess would have been a perfect fit for Erik ten Hag’s struggling side. United have managed just five goals in seven Premier League matches this season, leaving them 14th in the table—closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
Cole’s Comments on Manchester United’s Transfer Window
Cole was critical of Manchester United’s transfer strategy, suggesting they became too hesitant during the summer window. “Manchester United got gun-shy in the transfer window,” Cole remarked, emphasizing that Toney could have brought the firepower the team desperately needed. He went on to say, “If I was Manchester United and had the job tomorrow, I would’ve said, ‘I need Ivan Toney’ and I would’ve made it happen.”
Despite their poor start to the season, Cole believes the United board will continue to back Erik ten Hag for now. He noted that if the club had plans to sack the Dutchman, they likely would have done so already, implying that the board is giving him more time to turn things around. Cole said, “Erik ten Hag has got another stay of execution, so the results must pick up.”
Toney’s move to Saudi Arabia, where he is now playing for Al-Ahli, provided the striker with an “incredibly lucrative” opportunity, but for Manchester United, it might have been a missed chance to strengthen their attacking options and reverse their early-season struggles.
As the Premier League heads into the international break, all eyes will be on how Ten Hag and his underperforming forwards respond when club football resumes.