Patrice Evra Urges Manchester United to Sign Victor Osimhen

Patrice Evra has made it clear: if Manchester United are serious about climbing back towards the top, they should not hesitate to throw their weight – and their money – behind a move for Victor Osimhen.

The Nigerian striker has long been on United’s radar. He bulldozed his way through Serie A with Napoli, firing them to the title and racking up 76 goals across four seasons. Defenders in Italy struggled to live with his power and movement. Turkey has been no easier on his opponents.

At Galatasaray, Osimhen has kept those ruthless standards intact, scoring 59 times in just 74 appearances. That kind of output, in two demanding environments, explains why Evra is adamant United should push hard. The problem? He is locked into a contract in Istanbul until 2029. Any club wanting him will have to come armed with a huge offer before negotiations even begin.

Evra, speaking to GOAL in association with Stake, framed the need in simple terms. United, he argued, lack a proven, relentless No.9. Michael Carrick’s squad has Benjamin Sesko as the only out-and-out centre-forward, and for Evra that is not enough for a club with United’s ambitions.

“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,” he said, underlining the gap he sees at the top of the pitch.

Evra does not believe the squad is bare elsewhere. He accepts Casemiro’s absence will be felt, but he has faith in Andrey Santos after what he showed in pre-season. Bruno Fernandes, he stressed, “is still Bruno”, the creative heartbeat. Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo add options and unpredictability in the final third. There are pieces to work with.

The questions, in Evra’s eyes, lie deeper. The back line still needs surgery.

“Defensively, they may need to find a good alternative left-back. Maybe another centre-back,” he said, before moving to defend one of the club’s most scrutinised figures. Harry Maguire, he insisted, is “doing his job” and continues to show resilience despite constant criticism. Even so, Evra wants more dynamism on the flanks: a right-back who can attack and defend with equal conviction.

So the picture is clear: a ruthless No.9, a more complete right-back, depth at left-back and centre-half. United, in his view, are not a full rebuild away, but they are not complete either.

Amid all the talk of signings, one story feels almost like a transfer of its own. Marcus Rashford is back.

On the club’s books since the age of seven, Rashford has lived the full United journey – academy prodigy, first-team star, England international. Now 28, with 426 appearances and 138 goals for the club, he returns from loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona looking for a reset.

He had been exploring a permanent move away. That door has not opened. Instead, he is being folded back into familiar surroundings and asked to write a new chapter at Old Trafford.

Evra believes the slate can be wiped clean.

“I think United fans, they forgive. They forgive,” he said, while acknowledging the noise that surrounds any modern player. Social media will rage, as it always does, but he sees a different mood in the stands. For him, the key is Rashford’s response to a changing hierarchy.

“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.”

Evra’s message cuts to the core: honesty, work, sacrifice. Rashford, he insists, must be straight with himself about where he stands, then fight his way back.

“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 search for defensive balance and the challenge laid at Rashford’s feet, United’s next moves feel decisive. Do they gamble big on a ready-made goalscorer and trust old favourites to reinvent themselves, or try to patch their way through another season and hope it is enough?