Yahoo Sports column: Man United should move for Troy Parrott in January

A Yahoo Sports opinion piece says the in-form Real Betis and Ireland striker is the answer to Manchester United's problems in attack.

A Yahoo Sports column published Saturday urges Manchester United to sign Troy Parrott when the January transfer window opens, arguing that the 24-year-old Real Betis striker could address the club's problems in attack and put them firmly in the title race.

The case rests on a difficult stretch for United's forwards. Joshua Zirkzee remained at the club after a sale could not be completed during the summer window, and Benjamin Sesko has been repeatedly sidelined by injuries. With no settled option available, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been forced to deputize in a false-nine role, and the column describes the striking department as a clear weakness as a result.

According to the column, the squad needs reinforcing in January — and no later than the following summer — with Parrott flagged as the strongest candidate. The Dublin-born forward developed in Tottenham Hotspur's academy but built his reputation away from English football.

Parrott joined AZ Alkmaar in 2024 and delivered 51 goals in 97 appearances in Dutch football, a return the column credits with earning his transfer to Spain. The piece hails him as a breakout performer in La Liga with Real Betis, where he has already scored the winner against Real Madrid.

His international form carries particular weight in the argument. Parrott scored three times in a World Cup playoff against Hungary, a match Ireland won after trailing, and he added a brace against Austria earlier this week, opening that double with a solo goal. He now has nine goals over his past six competitive appearances for his country.

The column also leans on evaluations of his game that describe a well-rounded striker with sound control on the ball, poise when defenders close him down and composed finishing inside the area. Those evaluations note he can score with either foot, that his heading is improving as he uses his frame to create space and meet crosses, and that his combination play with midfielders and wingers has advanced considerably.

Tactically, he is presented as flexible: capable of serving as a target inside the box or as a mobile forward working the channels. One assessment cited in the piece concludes that his technique, movement and growing awareness of the game leave him a striker still on an upward curve.

The column closes with a nod to club history, noting that George Best, Harry Gregg, Roy Keane and Denis Irwin are part of a long line of leading Irish players signed by United. It argues Parrott is putting himself in that conversation for the current generation and urges the club to act before a rival does, bringing him in to compete with Sesko.

Liverpool travel to Manchester United on Saturday, October 3, kicking off at 8:30 a.m. EDT at Leigh Sports Village. The match airs on Paramount+.