Manchester United legend Quinton Fortune has called on his former club to sign Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.
United secured a return to the Champions League after finishing third in the Premier League last season under manager Michael Carrick, who has since been appointed on a full-time basis.
The renewed optimism around Old Trafford has sparked debate over where Carrick must strengthen his squad, with the striker position emerging as a clear priority this summer.
Fortune, speaking in quotes carried by The Sun, made his position clear, pointing directly to Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as the ideal candidate to bolster United’s attacking options.
“I think United need another striker because I think Benjamin Sesko scored 12 goals last season and Bruno Fernandes got nine,” Fortune said in his assessment of United’s current forward options.
Fortune added: “The team needs more but we do have to remember that Sesko is still a young player with a big responsibility coming to United and having to carry the team up front by himself.”
The former midfielder was direct in his recommendation, stating: “Nicolas Jackson is an option for Manchester United. He’s just an out-and-out striker. He doesn’t really care about anything else apart from getting into the box and getting on the end of whatever service he’s provided, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
Jackson, 25, spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich after struggling to cement his place at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea are now open to selling him for a fee in the region of £65m.
The Senegalese international scored 24 Premier League goals across his first two seasons at Chelsea, demonstrating that he can deliver at the highest level of English football.
Fortune acknowledged the loan spell raised questions but remained confident in Jackson’s quality, saying: “He’s coming off his loan at Bayern Munich and keeps getting clubs, so he must have something. I see him as more of a goal poacher.”
Tottenham have also explored a move for Jackson this summer, while Aston Villa’s Unai Emery is reportedly pushing to reunite with the striker he worked with at Villarreal.
The competition for Jackson’s signature means United would need to move decisively if they are to win the race for a player who knows the Premier League intimately.
With Champions League football set to increase the fixture burden next season, relying solely on Sesko to lead the line carries a significant risk for Carrick’s squad.
At £65m, United’s hierarchy will need to weigh carefully whether Jackson represents genuine competition for Sesko or simply an expensive backup option heading into a critical campaign.