13 September 2023 , 09:12
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Manchester United will attempt to sign Brighton striker Evan Ferguson in the future after admitting the teenager was a ‘£50million-plus mistake’.
Ferguson, 18, bagged a stunning hat-trick for the Seagulls in their recent Premier League victory over Newcastle after also netting in the opening-day win over Luton. Despite his tender years, he has already established himself as a key performer in the top-flight.
The Irish international enjoyed a breakout season with the Seagulls last term, netting 10 goals across just 14 starts. In April, he committed his future to the South Coast club by signing a long-term contract through to the summer of 2028.
Seagulls boss Roberto De Zerbi, under whom Ferguson has risen to prominence, recently insisted that Ferguson "will become one of the best players and strikers in the Premier League" – and like a multitude of the club’s former stars, the striker is attracting interest from the division’s biggest clubs.
Ferguson joined Brighton aged 16 from Dublin-based Bohemians, having also trialled at Old Trafford. United have accepted that the striker slipped through their net and are long-term admirers of the Irishman, whom they are considering making an approach to sign in the future.
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As detailed by Sky, Manchester United's academy director Nick Cox recently labelled the teenager a "£50m-plus mistake". Not only did this accept that the club should have signed him but indicated that they would be willing to splash out to secure his signature.
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Ferguson has been a standout player for Brighton this calendar year (Michael Steele/Getty Images)Ferguson had trails with United, Liverpool, Everton and Celtic after coming to prominence when featuring in a friendly with Bohemians against Chelsea in 2019. No move was completed for a further two years when he joined Brighton.
United will reactivate their interest in signing Ferguson ahead of next summer’s transfer window as they look to renovate their attack options. Erik ten Hag secured the signing of Rasmus Hojlund this summer from Atalanta, but he wants another striker of that calibre in a similar age bracket.
Anthony Martial is out of contract at Old Trafford next summer and while United hold an option of extending his deal by a further year, the Frenchman does not feature in Ten Hag’s long-term plans. Ideally, they will consider triggering his contract extension to secure a transfer fee for the player.
After the exits of Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani in the past year – alongside Wout Weghorst's temporary loan deal not being made permanent and Mason Greenwood departing on loan – has left United short of central attacking options, with Ferguson firmly back on their radar.