Ollie Watkins is the ideal striker for Manchester United and part of an Aston Villa team capable of a long Uefa Champions League run in 2023/24, former Old Trafford winger Lee Sharpe has said.
Rasmus Hojlund was the only United striker to reach double figures last season but the Denmark international is out for six weeks with a hamstring injury – and Sharpe, who supplied the likes of Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes and Andy Cole during eight years at the club, wishes Watkins was available to manager Erik ten Hag.
“I love Ollie Watkins,” said Sharpe, who is also a “big fan” of the England international’s club manager, Unai Emery. “I’d love Watkins to sign for United.
“Villa are my childhood team. They’re going to have a really good go at the Champions League and surprise a few people. With a good draw and a slight bit of luck in certain games, they’ve got every chance of going deep in the competition.”
13 @PremierLeague assists. 🎯
Enjoy the best of our Playmaker Award winner: Ollie Watkins! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ue7PZdww4V
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) May 20, 2024
Watkins Villa stats
Only three players netted more times in the Premier League last season than Watkins, who signed a new contract in October tying him to the Villans until 2028 and finished on 27 goals in all competitions.
That form helped Villa reach the Champions League for the first time, continuing their impressive rise under Emery after qualifying for the Europa Conference League at the end of the former Arsenal manager’s first season in charge.
By contrast, 20-time champions United finished in their lowest position for 34 years and scored the joint-fewest goals of any club in the top 10, although their surprise FA Cup final win over Manchester City sent them to the Europa League and has added optimism to their pre-season preparations.
United’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool in the US on Sunday was the second time they have failed to score in five friendlies but Sharpe believes versatile Netherlands forward Joshua Zirkzee could change their fortunes.
1⃣ year of Rasmus 🙌
How many goals will our new no.9 score in 2024/25? 🤔#MUFC pic.twitter.com/fx6nNxxkfz
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2024
The 23-year-old joined for £36.5 million in July from Bologna, where he scored 12 goals and set up seven to help the club reach the Champions League for the first time in more than 60 years.
Zirkzee, Yoro signings
“Zirkzee looks like he could potentially be a match-winner and a game-changer,” said Sharpe, praising Ten Hag’s signings while speaking to Safest Casino Sites.
“I always like to see people who are a threat going forward. [Leny] Yoro looks decent – he’s out for a little while but he looks like a top defender and he can play a bit when he’s on the ball.
“I just hope they start the season on the front foot and find a bit more consistency in games – not just from game to game, but the 90 minutes of a game. I’m sure all of the players and the manager are well aware of that and the new signings will give everyone a bit of a lift.”
Blasted into the corner by Lee Sharpe! 🎯#MUFC | #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/34rFfF3UDu
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 27, 2022
Alejandro Garnacho provided 10 goals and five assists last season during an unproductive campaign for United’s other wingers, with Antony – the club’s second-most expensive signing ever – finishing on one goal and one assist in the Premier League.
Sharpe calls their failure to create danger from crosses his “bugbear”. “My pet grudge is when they don’t miss the first player,” he explains.
“From corners, set pieces and crosses during the game, it’s imperative that you miss the first man and get the ball into a dangerous area.
“I sit there and watch it with my seven-year-old son and I’m like ‘look: first man, first man, first man’. I’m absolutely pulling my hair out.”
💥 Straight from kick-off to a Lee Sharpe scissor-kick in 17 seconds! ✂️#MUFC #GoalOfTheDay pic.twitter.com/mgxDs92FZj
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 10, 2021
United’s most successful manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, would give Sharpe a “rollicking” for deliveries which found the first defender.
A three-time Premier League champion, Sharpe won seven major trophies under Ferguson between 1991 and 1996, directly contributing to 53 goals in four seasons.
Man United: Sharpe on wingers
“Sometimes it was about not putting a lot of pace on the cross, it was just about missing the first man and putting it into the edge of the six-yard box and a yard or two outside of that,” he says.
“I would just like to see the wingers knock it and run early in games. All our wingers have pace, power and can go inside and outside.
“If they can go down the line a little bit more, mix it up and get some crosses in, that gives them an advantage because the full-backs are undecided about which way they’re going to go.
“If they race the full-back in the first couple of minutes, they let him know he’s in a game and declare intent.”
United return to England to meet Manchester City in the Community Shield on Saturday (3pm) before beginning their Premier League campaign at home to Fulham on August 16 (8pm).
Conclusion
As we look ahead to the upcoming season, the excitement and anticipation in the world of football are palpable. With stars like Ollie Watkins shining for Aston Villa and new signings like Joshua Zirkzee making their mark at Manchester United, the stage is set for an electrifying campaign.
Whether it’s the potential for a deep Champions League run for Villa or the resurgence of United under their new manager, the drama and spectacle of the sport are sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
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