Exclusive: Manchester United Legend Urges Club to Sign Brentford's Ivan Toney

Manchester United great Brian McClair is willing the club to sign Brentford hitman Ivan Toney.

The Red Devils struggled for Premier League goals last season with only two players – skipper Bruno Fernandes and striker Rasmus Hojlund – reaching double digits in domestic competition.

Both players finished the season with ten league goals each as the usually reliable Marcus Rashford had a season to forget with just seven goals in the league compared to 17 in the league the previous campaign.

Toney Could Be the Answer to United's Goal-Scoring Struggles

Four-time Premier League winner McClair would love the club to try and do their utmost to sign England hitman Toney, especially after impressive performances – albeit off the bench - at Euro 2024 in Germany.

“I think they’d benefit from signing Ivan Toney,” McClair told SportsBoom.com.

“Maybe they’d benefit from a player who is slightly different like him – and he’s only got a year left on his contract.”
 

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“The biggest problem for United is scoring goals.”

“Getting him would provide good competition, for me that’s always the best thing.”

“It sharpens your all-round performances and your desire to stay in the team when you’re playing.”

“You only have to look at how many goals they scored last year, it’s very low.”

“Maybe even the converting chances per goal percentage is really low also.”

“And from what I can see, with Hojlund injured they don’t have a number 9.”

Rashford Under Pressure but Never a Prolific Goal Scorer

McClair, 60, enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Old Trafford and won 14 pieces of silverware in his 11 years with the club.

But the former Scotland international striker and midfielder can’t understand why so many people have heaped the pressure on England striker Rashford to get the goals.

Rashford, who scored a career-high 30 goals in the 2022-23 season, was famously dropped by then England manager Gareth Southgate just before Euro 2024.

He scored 22 goals fewer in all competitions last season with his on and off-field problems well-documented.

“He has scored more goals in the past, but he’s been out-of-sorts for all sorts of reasons.”

“You would have expected him to hit the target with his opportunity in the Charity Shield, but to fire it so far wide is not great. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed with that.”

“He has to be better and, with some of these new players able to play wide, then there’s going to be more competition for Marcus.”

“Is he performing at the best level in the coaching sessions? Is he performing at the best level in games?”

“But with regards to any players, it’s the best performers who should get to play.”

United finished eighth in the Premier League last season having finished an impressive third place the year prior.