Former West Ham striker Dean Ashton has been signing the praises of Hammers talisman Dimitri Payet and has claimed that Manchester United should have made a move to sign the playmaker last summer.
The France international moved to the Boleyn Ground ahead of this season and has been a revelation at the London club.
The 29-year-old is in the running to become PFA Player of the Year and has etched his name in West Ham fans’ hearts after a spectacular season full of goals, individual skill and breathtaking vision.
The Hammers are locked in a battle for fourth place with United, who have lacked penetration and creativity in their final third this season under Louis van Gaal.
Payet’s future is a point of contention given his sublime form, with plenty of rumblings that some of Europe’s biggest clubs will move for the former Marseille man this summer.
Ashton has sang the attacking midfielder’s praises and stated that United would be a much better team if they had Payet pulling the strings in their attack.
“Any team would benefit having Dimitri Payet in their team and Manchester United certainly. They have missed that creative side,” the former striker told The Daily Star.
“I know Juan Mata has that but Payet also has that physical side and he’s so quick.
“He would have been a fantastic signing for United who have been lacking that cutting edge all season.
“He brings that and with his free-kicks that is something out of nothing, adding something to the team that you don’t really plan for.”
