Manchester United’s attacking line has actually struggled a bit in entrance of objective this season. Following the summer season departure of Rasmus Høylund, the Pink Devils solely have two common No.9s on the membership, however they actually appear to be feeling the results of their lack of depth.
Maybe unfairly, supervisor Ruben Amorim has given Joshua Zirkzee restricted minutes this season, with the silky Dutchman solely conceding two objectives in 11 Premier League appearances.
This is similar variety of objectives as Benjamin Sesco, who joined from RB Leipzig this summer season and is presently with no objective in eight video games.
It might due to this fact come as no shock that United are rumored to have a brand new striker this winter.
Manchester United goal Premier League striker
It seems Zirkzee’s time at Previous Trafford will come to an finish within the coming weeks.
There are robust rumors of a return to Serie A after one other disappointing season at Previous Trafford, with Roma thought-about the possible vacation spot for United’s quantity 11.
Properly, their replacements could quickly emerge from among the many prime gamers. In keeping with a report by journalist Pete O’Rourke, the 13-time Premier League winner is “contemplating” a cope with Crystal Palace and French worldwide Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The scenario surrounding the three-cap French star in the meanwhile is attention-grabbing. O’Rourke says his contract expires on the finish of the 2026/27 season, however he’s “in limbo over a brand new contract”.
This might give United the possibility to maneuver and signal him on a budget, with Palace reportedly valuing him at £26m over the summer season.
Sky Sports activities backed up that declare, revealing on Thursday that the Eagles ahead is certainly a participant they’ve “long-term curiosity” in.
Why Mateta will enhance United
Over the previous two-and-a-half seasons, the 28-year-old has developed a popularity as “probably the greatest strikers within the Premier League”, in line with Como scout Ben Mattinson. The Frenchman has been an essential and constant supply of objectives for the Eagles.
The striker, who was born on the outskirts of Paris, has made 148 appearances within the Premier League, scoring 45 objectives and offering 9 assists. His greatest scoring seasons had been 2023/24, when he scored 16 objectives within the league, and 2024/25, when he scored 14 objectives within the prime flight.
He has already scored seven instances in 19 league appearances this season and is on monitor to attain the identical variety of objectives once more, displaying nice consistency.
Amorim will surely like a participant with that stage of expertise in his squad. Previous Trafford’s strikers are actually struggling, with Sesco one of many gamers but to search out his greatest type.
It might solely be a matter of time, however United followers are but to see the shape the Slovenian had at RB Leipzig.
In two seasons within the Bundesliga, he had scored 13 and 14 objectives earlier than making his huge transfer, so his two objectives in pink is perhaps thought-about underwhelming.
This season’s primary statistics counsel that Palace’s striker will likely be an improve on Sesco. For instance, Mateta has a conversion price of 16.28%, whereas the Pink Devils’ new striker has a conversion price of simply 8.33%.
Comparability of Mateta and Sesco 25/26 PL stats | ||
|---|---|---|
State (per 90) | arithmetic | Sesco |
shot accuracy | 53.49% | 50% |
conversion price | 16.28% | 8.33% |
shot on the right track | 1.5 | 1.3 |
the objective | 0.5 | 0.3 |
foul win | 0.7 | 0.3 |
Squawka statistics | ||
Having a striker of Mateta’s high quality and expertise within the staff will certainly be a plus for United’s quantity 30. Not solely will he have the ability to study from extra skilled gamers, however he may also have the ability to take among the stress off of being United’s primary No.9.
That is actually a sure-fire deal on Amorim’s aspect. That is a formidable charge for a confirmed Premier League striker, a plug-and-play attacker who may be slotted into the identical system he performs for Palace to strengthen his squad.
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