Manchester United lead race for Danny Ings – Report
Manchester United have reportedly stepped up their interest in signing Burnley’s Danny Ings by moving ahead of Liverpool in the line of suitors.
Ings’s contract runs out at the end of the season and he will be moving away from Turf Moor, with United and Liverpool, as well as Real Sociedad, Tottenham, and Manchester City all showing interest, as reported by the Daily Mail. Anfield and Old Trafford appear to be the most likely destinations, as Brendan Rodgers and Louis van Gaal both rate the striker highly. Liverpool tried to make the signing back in the January transfer window but were thwarted due to a rule preventing the loan of Ings back to Burnley for the remainder of the season. United will attempt to make the same move by agreeing to a deal with Burnley before the contract expires and Ings becomes a free agent.
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The young striker has done well to showcase himself this season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists to contribute to half of Burnley’s goals all year. Van Gaal believes he will continue to improve ultimately to become an England international at the senior level, having already scored four goals in nine caps for the England U21s. In addition, the Dutch manager was impressed by his performance in United’s 3-1 victory over Burnley in February.
Compared to the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Radamel Falcao, the 23 year old has shown similar attacking proficiency in goals scored, chances created, and successful take-ons. Despite playing for a team with a defensive mentality, he’s shown the ability to decide a match; one can only imagine what he could do if playing in an attacking system.
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Where Ings excels is his relentless work ethic, similar to Rooney’s trait of seemingly never tiring. Former United right-back Gary Neville recently praised the former Bournemouth youth’s effort, suggesting that Manchester City would be far better off if their players could put forth the same desire. Neville also suggested that utilizing a 4-4-2 formation means increased work rates from the strikers, something that Ings can offer United if they revert to the formation next season.
The United legend had already praised Ings after his performance against Tottenham in a 0-0 draw:
"“I think his touch is fantastic. In the game today, he was a nuisance. He maybe doesn’t get the high quality stuff into him that he would probably want, and I would imagine lots of clubs are looking at him.”"
Van Persie and Falcao look to both be on their way out come the end of the season, with van Persie potentially going out on a transfer and Falcao leaving at the end of his loan spell. As such, United could be in the market for a few replacements at striker, with other names such as Mauro Icardi and Robert Lewandowski also being linked to Old Trafford.
United fans have shown mixed reactions to the rumors revolving around Ings, with some believing he doesn’t have the ability to survive at a club as big as the Red Devils. I have to disagree with the critics based on the resurgence in form of current United players Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young. The two midfielders have drastically improved this season under van Gaal’s tutelage and I believe the former Netherlands manager would be able to get the best out of Ings. With a world class midfield behind him and Wayne Rooney to partner with, Ings could flourish in the famous red kit. Otherwise, he’d still be a tremendous addition to squad depth, so there isn’t all that much risk in a move for him.
With other options in the striker position carrying large transfer fees, Ings could be the bargain United are looking for in the transfer window.