Manchester United shown what they're missing after £32m star's four-goal showing

Manchester United shown what they're missing after £32m star's four-goal showing

Former Manchester United target Evan Ferguson made a dream start for his new club as he looks to kickstart his career following a difficult campaign at Brighton

Evan Ferguson, who has been on Manchester United's radar, his made an explosive start to life with Roma (Image: Fabio Rossi/AS Roma via Getty Images)

Evan Ferguson reminded Manchester United what they could have had with a four-goal blast on his Roma debut.

The Irish hotshot has been linked with United regularly over the last 18 months since he burst onto the scene with Brighton as a teenager. A £100million price was even slapped on him at one point, although there was no suggestion United were willing to pay that much for the youngster.

United were reportedly considering a £50million raid last summer amid claims Chelsea were also keen on Ferguson. However, a move to Old Trafford never came to fruition before Ferguson’s career stalled last season amid a goal drought and niggling injuries.

The 20-year-old spent the last part of last season at West Ham after struggling for opportunities with Brighton but made only one start for the Hammers. He is now looking to kickstart his career with Roma after joining the Serie A club on a season-long loan. The deal includes a £32million right-to-buy option.

Lining up alongside Argentina World Cup-winning striker Paulo Dybala, Ferguson wasted no time in hitting the ground running with his new club, scoring four times and providing an assist as Roma battered Italian lower-league side UniPomezia 9-0 in a friendly.

Ferguson endured a tough 2024/25 campaign (Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Ferguson will be back in England next month, with Roma scheduled to play friendlies at Aston Villa and Everton before kicking off their Serie A campaign at home against Bologna on August 23.

United’s interest in Ferguson will have cooled amid his difficult 2024/25 season. Given the struggles of youngsters Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkee, Ruben Amorim clearly needed proven Premier League forwards, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha arriving this summer to fill those requirements.

United new boys Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

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However, a strong season in Italy could put Ferguson back on the radar of England’s biggest clubs. After his Roma loan move was sealed, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “Evan had a challenging period across the past season and a half, and it has been one disrupted by niggling injury issues, which hasn’t allowed him a run of games.

“He is over those injuries and has come back in great shape. Now he really wants to play regularly. This is an exciting opportunity in a strong league and with the prospect of European football.”

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