Berbatov warns Man Utd to rethink transfer due to infamous Alex Ferguson mistake

25 January 2024 , 19:56

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Dimitar Berbatov has reservations about the prospect of Manchester United signing Michael Olise (Image: Sky Sports)

Dimitar Berbatov believes Manchester United should think twice before pressing ahead with a summer swoop for Michael Olise.

The highly-rated Crystal Palace winger, 22, has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting young prospects since making the step up from Reading in the summer of 2021 and his progress has not gone unnoticed by other clubs.

Chelsea tried to sign Olise in the summer before he penned a new contract with Palace but the former France youth international has since emerged as a priority target for United, who are now being run by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos.

And while Berbatov admits Olise has shown plenty of potential, he's concerned about the similarities between him and Wilfried Zaha, who failed to make the grade at Old Trafford after being signed from Palace by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Berbatov told Betfair: "Man United have to be careful with transfers, and seeing the link to Michael Olise made me think about when they signed Wilf Zaha. Zaha came from Crystal Palace too and his spell at Man United was short-lived and unsuccessful.

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‌"They need to make sure that Olise is what's needed at the club. Is he going to help? Is he going to elevate the team in any way? It's a sensitive situation for Man United so they need to be careful.

‌"Olise has a lot to improve on, but he has shown great quality on the pitch in his career so far. He needs the right environment and the right manager around him because if it's not right for him then performances on the pitch will suffer."

Join the debate! Do you think Olise would be a good summer signing for Man Utd? Let us know here.

Olise has emerged as a transfer target for United ahead of the summer (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

While it remains to be seen if Erik ten Hag will be able to strengthen his squad before next week's transfer deadline, it's anticipated that the Dutchman will be backed by Ratcliffe and Ineos in the summer.

The British billionaire and his team will assume control of sporting operations as per the terms of the £1.25billion deal he struck with the Glazer family last month.

As well as Olise, The Standard claim that Ratcliffe has an ambitious four-man wishlist ahead of the summer which also includes a new centre-back, a right-back, a No.8 and an established Harry Kane-esque striker.

Dan Marsh