Evra Urges Manchester United to Sign Victor Osimhen

Patrice Evra has urged Manchester United to go all‑out for Victor Osimhen, insisting the club cannot let another transfer window close without landing a ruthless centre-forward.

The former United left-back believes the 27-year-old Galatasaray striker is the ideal answer to the glaring gap at No.9 in Michael Carrick’s squad, where Benjamin Sesko currently stands as the only recognised out-and-out striker.

Evra’s call: “Osimhen is the best”

Osimhen has long been on United’s radar, his numbers impossible to ignore. He fired Napoli to the Serie A title and left Italy with 76 goals across four seasons, then carried that scoring touch to Turkey. At Galatasaray, he has hit 59 goals in just 74 appearances, maintaining the same ruthless edge in the penalty area.

That kind of productivity, Evra says, is exactly what United are missing.

“A striker, someone who scores a goal. I think that's what I'm looking at. That's why for me, Osimhen is the best. He’s a perfect example,” Evra told GOAL, in association with Stake.

Osimhen is under contract in Istanbul until 2029, a deal that gives Gala enormous leverage. Any move would demand a huge bid just to bring them to the table, but Evra is adamant United should be prepared to dig deep for a player he sees as transformational in the final third.

Belief in Santos, trust in Bruno, questions at the back

Evra accepts United will feel the absence of Casemiro, but he sees promise in the midfield reshuffle. He has been impressed by Andrey Santos’ pre-season work and believes the Brazilian can step into the gap.

“We're going to miss Casemiro, but I believe in [Andrey] Santos and what I saw in pre-season, he can do something good over there. And Bruno [Fernandes], he’s still Bruno,” Evra said, underlining the captain’s enduring influence.

He also pointed to the attacking options already in the squad, name-checking Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo as players capable of contributing in the final third.

The concern, in Evra’s eyes, lies deeper.

“Defensively, they may need to find a good alternative left-back. Maybe another centre-back,” he continued. “Harry Maguire, for me, is doing his job and you know, he’s criticised a lot, but he shows you the resilience. I think maybe we need to find a good right-back, a good attacking and defensive right-back.”

The message is clear: the spine needs reinforcing, but the priority remains a striker with Osimhen’s profile and presence.

Rashford’s reset at Old Trafford

Evra also turned his attention to a player who feels almost like a new signing despite having been at United since childhood: Marcus Rashford.

Now 28, the forward is back at Old Trafford after loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona. He had explored a permanent move away, but with 426 appearances and 138 goals for United, he is being tipped to have a major say again in familiar surroundings.

For Evra, this season represents a clean slate.

“I think United fans, they forgive. They forgive,” he said, stressing that the core support inside the stadium remains behind Rashford even when social media noise suggests otherwise.

He referenced the form of Matheus Cunha, noting the competition in attacking areas, and laid down a challenge to Rashford as he battles for his place.

“It's up to Marcus to accept that maybe he’s not the first choice. I'm not the first choice, but I'm going to prove to you guys that when I'm going to be on that pitch, I will bleed and die for Man United.

“So he just needs to be honest with himself. But the fans forgive. Some of them, yes, on social media, they're going to make some noise, but the real United fans, they really want Marcus Rashford to succeed at United.”

Between the push for Osimhen, the faith in emerging figures like Santos, and the demand for Rashford to fight his way back to the top of the pecking order, Evra has sketched out a clear blueprint. The question now is whether United’s hierarchy will match that ambition before the window slams shut.