Roy Keane tips Manchester United to sign in-form England international

Roy Keane has tipped his former club Manchester United to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the summer transfer window.

Aston Villa have been the surprise package in the Premier League this season as they currently occupy the fourth spot in the table. A big reason for their successful campaign thus far has been the performances of striker Ollie Watkins.

Watkins, 28, has enjoyed an incredible campaign at Villa Park, bagging 16 goals and 10 assists in 28 Premier League appearances. He has also shone in the Europa Conference League with two goals in five appearances. The 28-year-old is only behind Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot and has worked himself into contention to be included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the 2024 European Championships.

The England international’s goal-scoring exploits for Villa have seen him being linked with a summer move to the Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’. Boyhood Arsenal fan Watkins has been linked with the Gunners, while Manchester United and Chelsea have also kept tabs on his progress.

Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of Villa’s home game against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Roy Keane praised Watkins’ performances this season and suggested he possesses the ability to play for a top club like Manchester United.

“I think he could play for one of the top teams,” Keane told Sky Sports (h/t the Birmingham Live).

“I know Aston Villa are a big club, but I mean the likes of Man United, Liverpool, and obviously Man City.”

Watkins has been in good form of late but failed to disturb the scorers in Villa’s 4-0 loss to Tottenham at Villa Park on Sunday. Unai Emery’s side remain fourth in the standings, albeit with Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham only two points behind following their monumental win.

Red Devil Armada’s verdict:

Watkins has become among the top goalscorers in the Premier League in recent years, and he will no doubt be sought-after heading into the summer transfer window. At 28, the time is perhaps right for the English striker to move to a bigger club that will compete for trophies.

As Keane rightly suggested, Man United could do with someone like the Villa star up top next season. Rasmus Hojlund is very young and his game time must be managed well to keep him fit, so an experienced head in form of Watkins would be perfect for our club as he will not only consistently supply goals but also mentor the Dane.

Having said that, however, Keane’s recent comments regarding Watkins would not have gone down well with the Villa faithful.