Rio Ferdinand gives verdict on Man United's interest in Ivan Toney as he admits he's 'mystified' at the lack of bids for £60m-rated Brentford star

Rio Ferdinand has told Manchester United not to bring Ivan Toney the club, citing the Brentford star's profile as being 'wrong' after the striker was linked with a move to Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old has been linked with the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, United and Chelsea in recent months, with Thomas Frank's side placing a £60million valuation on him after he expressed that he has no willingness to sign a new deal.

United are in need of another striker to reinforce their attacking options, with Rasmus Hojlund their only specialist centre forward after Anthony Martial left following the expiration of his contract.

Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee can play through the middle when required, while United boss Erik ten Hag has also suggested Jadon Sancho could be deployed as a striker after being reintegrated into the squad.

Toney is keen to leave the Bees after refusing to sign a new contract and had attracted interest from Arsenal before that cooled, with Chelsea and United now tipped to be interested.

A deal for the England international's services could be done on a loan basis with an obligation to buy as both clubs attempt to balance PSR rules, but Ferdinand has warned against bringing Toney in at his former side.

'Personally I wouldn't go for someone like Ivan Toney,' said Ferdinand in a 'Rio Reacts' video to a supporter's question posted on X.

'I rate him as a player but just think his age, that profile is wrong for the club the way they are going, and way they have gone into this transfer window with the new ownership.

'I just don't see it as being a fit. I found it a bit strange, everyone was saying he could go to Arsenal, Chelsea for £100m, £80m, whatever it was and then all of a sudden there are no bidders.

'I'm a bit mystified as to why that is. For Man United I don't see it as a fit for the way that Man United play,' he added.

Arsenal were initial frontrunners to snatch Toney away from Brentford but were reportedly put off by the £100m that the Bees were demanding at the start of the transfer window.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has since began scouting other targets while Toney travelled back to Brentford after his holiday to start pre-season training ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

Toney, who joined Brentford for an initial £5m in 2020, has scored 72 goals in 141 games for the Bees and helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League in 2021.

His progress was hampered by an eight-month ban he received for betting breaches in May 2023, but Toney returned to action in January 2024, netting four times in 17 games during the second half of last season.