Leon Osman believes Everton playmaker Ross Barkley should move to Manchester United rather than Tottenham because he “fits” the bill at Old Trafford.
Former Toffees midfielder Osman does not think the 23-year-old Premier League ace will get into a “fantastic” Spurs side, who recently finished in the Champions League places.
Barkley has one-year left on his Goodison Park deal and manager Ronald Koeman has told him to sign a new deal else he will be sold in the summer.
United, who finished outside the top four this season, will contest the Europa League final on Wednesday night against Ajax with the winner gaining a place in next season’s Champions League.
TV pundit Osman, who played with Barkley during his Everton days, praised the talented midfielder and stated what he should do next.
“He is one of the top players in the Premier League,” Osman told talkSPORT.
“He has had a decent season for Everton, has scored some great goals and has shown what he is capable of.
“There has been a lot of talk about Tottenham and him going down there. They have got a fantastic team, but would he be the first name on the teamsheet? I don’t know.
“I think someone like Man United might want him. Jose Mourinho likes his physical players, he likes everyone in his team to be powerful and big, and Ross Barkley certainly fits that bill.”
Mauricio Pochettino arguably boasts one of the strongest starting XI’s in the Premier League as they finished runners-up to champions, Chelsea, this term.
The likes of Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min play in the attacking positions Barkley favours.
All three have been instrumental in Spurs’ success this season, with attacking midfielder Alli arguably being the standout player.
The England international struck 18 league goals from the middle of the park, which saw him crowned PFA Young Player of the Year.
The former League One player, who moved to White Hart Lane from MK Dons in 2015, won the award for the second season running.