Former Liverpool striker has an unusual take on Manchester United’s pursuit of Morata

When Manchester United shifted their transfer focus from Antoine Griezmann to Alvaro Morata, most thought: 'Fair enough.'

Dean Saunders is not in that group and continues to feel like United should have looked to sign a different forward entirely. We know what you're thinking and no, it's not Romelu Lukaku or Andrea Belotti. Instead, former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker Saunders reckons they should have made Jermain Defoe their top transfer target. Defoe's move from Sunderland to Bournemouth was confirmed on Friday but Saunders believes the Red Devils missed a trick in failing to bring the 34-year-old to Old Trafford. When asked for his opinion on United's pursuit of Real Madrid's Morata, Saunders surprised plenty with his take. "I would have taken Defoe," the Welshman told talkSPORT . "He's 34, scored 15 goals last season, [has a] couple of years in him. His instinct of getting to the ball first in the box is brilliant. "You're gambling, every time you sign a striker from abroad it's a gamble. I don't think it's a gamble with Defoe. "Jermain Defoe is my favourite player. I love watching him. "I like how his brain works and how he can finish, he finishes all types of chances. "He doesn't drink, he's fit as a fiddle. He will (start) if he scores every week."