Manchester United’s search for a new striker under Ruben Amorim remains a critical priority to address their lackluster attacking output in the 2024/25 Premier League season.
With Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling to deliver consistent goals, the club has been linked with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
While both players offer unique strengths, this analysis argues that Manchester United should prioritize signing Ollie Watkins over Gyökeres due to his proven Premier League pedigree, tactical fit, indifference to Champions League football, durability, and cost-effective salary demands.
1. Watkins is Premier League Proven
Ollie Watkins has solidified his reputation as a reliable Premier League striker, amassing 75 goals in 184 appearances for Aston Villa since his 2020 move from Brentford.
In the 2024/25 season, he recorded 17 goals and 14 assists in 54 matches across all competitions, demonstrating his ability to score and facilitate play.
His consistent double-figure goal tallies over five Premier League seasons make him a low-risk signing for Manchester United, who urgently need a dependable goal-scorer.
Watkins’ experience in high-pressure matches, including Champions League games for Villa, ensures he can handle the scrutiny at Old Trafford without an adaptation period.
In contrast, Viktor Gyökeres, despite his prolific 43 goals in 50 appearances for Sporting CP in the 2023/24 Primeira Liga season, remains unproven in the Premier League.
His earlier stint at Brighton saw him fail to score in eight appearances, and while he excelled at Coventry City in the Championship (21 goals in 46 games), the step-up to the Premier League’s intensity and defensive quality poses a significant risk.
2. Champions League Ambitions
Viktor Gyökeres has reportedly prioritized a move to a club guaranteed Champions League football for the 2025/26 season, a preference that complicates Manchester United’s pursuit.
After United’s 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final, their absence from the Champions League next season makes them a less attractive destination for Gyökeres, who is also being courted by Arsenal, a consistent Champions League contender.
Sources indicate that Gyökeres’ camp views top-tier European competition as a “non-negotiable” factor, aligning with his ambition to compete at the highest level following his breakout seasons at Sporting CP.
Ollie Watkins, however, appears less fixated on Champions League football. While he has experienced the competition with Aston Villa, his consistent performances in the Premier League suggest he prioritizes regular game time and a platform to showcase his talents.
Manchester United’s project under Amorim, coupled with the promise of a starting role, aligns with Watkins’ career goals.
His willingness to join a club in transition makes him a more realistic target for United, who can offer him a prominent role in their rebuild without the immediate pressure of European elite competition.
3. Durability and Injury Record
Ollie Watkins’ exceptional durability is a major advantage for Manchester United, who have been plagued by injuries to key players in recent seasons.
Watkins has played 38 or more Premier League matches in each of his last four seasons at Aston Villa, missing only a handful of games due to minor issues.
His robustness ensures he can handle the demands of a grueling Premier League schedule, providing United with a reliable spearhead for their attack. This consistency is vital for a club aiming to stabilize their frontline and avoid the disruptions caused by injury-prone players.
Viktor Gyökeres, while generally fit, lacks the same long-term track record in a high-intensity league like the Premier League. His physical playing style, reliant on pace and power, could expose him to greater injury risks in England’s more physical and fast-paced environment.
United’s need for a striker who can stay fit for 30+ games a season makes Watkins the safer choice, particularly as the club looks to maximize their investment in a new No. 9.
4. Salary and Role Considerations
Ollie Watkins’ salary demands are likely to be more manageable for Manchester United compared to Gyökeres.
At Aston Villa, Watkins is not always a guaranteed starter, with Jhon Duran occasionally preferred in certain matches before his move to Al-Nassr.
This has kept his wage relatively modest for a player of his caliber, reportedly around £100,000 per week. Manchester United can offer Watkins consistent game time as their primary striker, making the move appealing without requiring an exorbitant salary increase.
This financial flexibility is crucial for United, who must navigate Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) while funding other squad improvements.
Gyökeres, as Sporting CP’s star player and a reported target for clubs like Arsenal, would likely command a higher salary, potentially exceeding £150,000 per week, to reflect his status and market demand.
His expectation of a starring role and Champions League football could further inflate his wage demands, making him a costlier proposition for United.
Watkins, by contrast, offers a cost-effective solution, combining proven output with a salary structure that aligns with United’s financial strategy.
5. Ability to Adapt to Amorim’s Style of Play
Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system demands a striker who can act as a focal point, hold up play, link with wingers, and finish in tight spaces. Watkins’ well-rounded skill set aligns perfectly with these requirements.
His ability to press relentlessly, run channels, and contribute to build-up play—evidenced by his 14 assists last season—makes him an ideal fit for United’s young wingers like Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.
Described as a “complete forward” by pundits, Watkins’ high work rate and defensive contributions complement Amorim’s high-pressing philosophy, as seen in his performances under Unai Emery at Villa.
Gyökeres, while a clinical finisher in Portugal, thrives in a system that leverages his physicality and pace to exploit space.
His individualistic style, suited to the less tactically demanding Primeira Liga, may struggle to adapt to Amorim’s structured, possession-based approach.
United’s recent challenges with young strikers like Højlund adapting to the Premier League suggest that Gyökeres’ potential adjustment period could hinder the team’s immediate progress, especially at his reported £60m valuation.
Wrapping Up
Manchester United should prioritize signing Ollie Watkins over Viktor Gyökeres due to his proven Premier League record, tactical compatibility with Amorim’s system, flexibility regarding Champions League football, exceptional durability, and cost-effective salary demands.
Watkins’ 75 goals in 184 Premier League games, coupled with his versatility and reliability, make him a low-risk, high-impact signing capable of addressing United’s attacking deficiencies immediately.
Gyökeres, while a talented prospect, carries risks due to his unproven status in the Premier League, Champions League ambitions, and potentially higher wage demands.
With Watkins being a more attainable and pragmatic target, United should focus their efforts on securing his signature from Aston Villa, potentially leveraging Villa’s financial pressures to negotiate a £60m deal.
