Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has publicly advised Manchester United to make a move for Fulham's Antonee Robinson, believing the American full-back could excel at Old Trafford.
Riise reveals Liverpool's missed summer opportunity
Speaking to Casinostugan, Riise confessed he was 'quite sure' Liverpool would bid for Robinson during the last summer transfer window. The Norwegian, who played for both Liverpool and Fulham, felt the 28-year-old would have been a perfect fit for Arne Slot's side, but a formal approach never materialised.
'I was quite sure that Liverpool was going to go for Antonee Robinson in the summer because he's a full-back that I think will suit Liverpool perfectly,' Riise stated. With the January window approaching, Riise now believes the United States international would be open to joining Manchester United instead.
Why Robinson is in demand
Robinson's stock rose significantly last season with a series of impressive performances for Marco Silva's Fulham. He provided 10 assists in 36 Premier League appearances, showcasing his attacking prowess from the left-back position. Fulham secured his services for a bargain £2 million from Wigan Athletic in 2020.
Despite his recent success, Robinson has been sidelined for much of the current campaign with a knee issue, featuring in only four league matches. He marked his return to fitness this past Saturday, playing the full 90 minutes in Fulham's victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.
A realistic prospect for the big clubs
Riise, while expressing a personal desire for Robinson to remain at Craven Cottage, acknowledged the reality of modern football. 'The best players will get picked up by the big clubs,' he said. He directly addressed the potential of a move to Manchester United, asking: 'Could he thrive at Man Utd? Sadly, yes.'
The former left-back also suggested Fulham supporters are pragmatic about their star player's future. 'Fans are realistic, they know how it is. Players want to take steps forward, and if the club doesn't do that, then they will go.' He concluded that a move to a club of United's stature would be almost impossible for Robinson to refuse.
Robinson himself has previously played down transfer speculation, particularly links to Liverpool. In an interview with ESPN earlier this year, he noted that all his friends and family are from Liverpool, which led to a flurry of messages whenever rumours surfaced. 'I try not to look at [transfer rumours],' he said, dismissing the stories as a natural consequence of good form.
As the January transfer window draws nearer, Riise's public endorsement adds significant fuel to the fire surrounding Antonee Robinson's future, setting the stage for a potential major move.
