Joe Cole criticized Man Utd for not signing Ivan Toney.
During the 2024 summer transfer window, Man United expressed interest in Ivan Toney, however, the deal did not materialize.
Toney was subsequently sold to Al-Ahli of the Saudi Pro League on the final day of the transfer window for a fee of around £40 million.
Ivan Toney, 28, proved his worth with 72 goals in 141 appearances for Brentford, including 20 in the 2022/23 Premier League season. His career at Brentford was interrupted in May 2023 when he received an eight-month ban for violating 232 FA betting rules. Despite struggling to return to the pitch, Toney was still called up to the England squad for Euro 2024 and played a crucial role in the team's journey to the final.
According to Cole, Manchester United missed a good opportunity to improve their attack by not signing Toney. "Manchester United were too hesitant in the transfer window. I think Ivan Toney is a fantastic player and he's exactly what they need. His personality is perfectly suited to playing for a top team," Cole stated. "If I were given the job of manager, I would insist that Ivan Toney was needed and do everything I could to bring him here."
Manchester United have had a disappointing start to the 2024/25 season, winning only two of their first seven Premier League matches and dropping to 14th place in the table. Despite signing Dutch striker Joshua Zirkzee and other players like Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, and Leny Yoro, their attack has failed to live up to expectations, scoring only five goals in seven games.
The decision not to sign Toney has hampered Man United's ability to improve their goalscoring performance, and current options like Zirkzee haven't been able to deliver the necessary breakthrough.
