Manchester United would challenge for the Premier League title if they signed Ivan Toney.
That’s the view of Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who aided the Brentford star’s incredible rise through the English football leagues.
MacAnthony signed Toney for the Posh in 2018 following his spells at Northampton Town and Newcastle, with the striker scoring 49 goals across 94 games for the League One side.
He now plays Premier League football for the Bees and has banged in 36 top-flight goals since 2021, increasing the prospect of a move to a top six side.
Toney’s contract at the Bees expires next summer so this could come very soon, and MacAnthony believes United would hugely benefit if they signed him.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Put him in an Arsenal team, put him in a Liverpool or a Man United team, he scores 30 Premier League goals in a season.
“I think anyone who disagrees with that hasn’t been watching the last two-and-a-half years.
“I think there’s five clubs in the world who could probably end up buying him and he will improve any of those clubs by a mile. He turns Manchester United into challengers for the Premier League.”
United have been longing for a striker who could help guide them to the Premier League title, something they haven’t won since 2013.
They signed Rasmus Hojlund in the summer in £72million deal, but he has scored just seven goals in 21 top-flight appearances this season.
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Toney could be the man to change their fortunes should a deal be completed though, and MacAnthony believes he could also top the Premier League scoring charts.
He remarked: “Having scouted players not just for their technical ability, but their personality and their growth for 18 years, I think he’s not even in his prime even though he’s turning 28.
“Whoever buys him, £100m will be well spent because he’s coming into his prime.
“You’re going to get five or six years of his best. He’s scored a goal every other game in the Premier League for Brentford.
“Put Ivan in an Aston Villa team under [Unai] Emery and see how many goals he scores in the Premier League. He’d probably be up there for the Golden Boot.”
Following his eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules, Toney made his first appearance of the season for Brentford in January.
He scored on his return in their 3-2 home win against Nottingham Forest and appeared to hint he’ll stay at the club by pointing to his chest and then to the pitch.
However, he has previously been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, and Brentford boss Thomas Frank has seemingly conceded Toney will be sold in the summer.