Manchester United has been the house to so many iconic centre-forwards through the years, with the fanbase typically blessed by quite a few elite-level abilities at Outdated Trafford.
Gamers like Wayne Rooney so typically caught the attention throughout their time as a Crimson Satan, with the Englishman undoubtedly leaving a long-lasting impression on the membership’s historical past.
He registered a complete of 253 objectives for the membership, subsequently sitting on the prime of their goalscoring charts and beating the file set by the good Sir Bobby Charlton.
Rooney was partnered by quite a few legendary gamers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Robin van Persie, subsequently serving to Sir Alex Ferguson win 13 Premier League titles alongside the best way.
Nonetheless, no supervisor has been capable of obtain such a feat since, with Ruben Amorim eager to land one other talisman to his ranks to spice up any title success within the close to future.
Man Utd’s hunt for a brand new striker in January
During the last couple of weeks, United have been strongly touted with a possible winter deal to land Serhou Guirassy from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund.
The Guinean worldwide has caught the attention of the final couple of years together with his goalscoring exploits, subsequently registering 45 objectives in simply 65 appearances for the German membership.
Nonetheless, any deal would seemingly be an costly one, as his present employers are demanding a price within the area of £70m to half methods with the 29-year-old frontman.
He’s not the one identify at present on their shortlist, with Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta one other talisman the hierarchy have set their sights on for the close to future.
Based on one Spanish outlet, the Crimson Devils’ hierarchy are contemplating a transfer to land the Frenchman and will current a suggestion to the Eagles in January.
The report additionally states that the participant is known to be pissed off over the dearth of contract talks at Selhurst Park, which may result in a £40m departure within the coming months.
Why United’s newest goal is an improve on Sesko
The considered speaking a few new striker in December would have been a shock to many related to United – particularly after their transfer to land Benjamin Sesko in the summertime.
Amorim and the board forked out a complete of £74m, together with add-ons on the Slovenian worldwide after he netted 21 objectives throughout all competitions for RB Leipzig final marketing campaign.
Such a deal generated large pleasure and handed the supporters hope that that they had discovered their new quantity 9, however in the end, the transfer has struggled to carry off in current months.
The 22-year-old has solely managed to seek out the online twice for the Crimson Devils, with central midfielder Casemiro scoring extra so far – subsequently highlighting his struggles within the Premier League.
Clearly, Sesko will want time to settle into life in England, however the early indicators don’t look like promising, particularly contemplating the price paid for his providers.
His lack of type has fuelled hypothesis over a deal for Mateta, with the Frenchman undoubtedly offering Amorim with the wanted Premier League-proven star he craves.
He netted a complete of 14 objectives in his 37 league outings all through 2024/25, however he’s continued his exceptional goalscoring feats into the present marketing campaign – resulting in Paul Merson labelling him “significantly better” than Sesko.
“However he’s a significantly better participant than Sesko, significantly better. And he’s doing it within the Premier League week in week out. As a participant you’d love Mateta in your group.”
When evaluating his stats to these of Sesko, he’s managed to outperform him in key areas, together with his potential transfer undoubtedly a superb pickup for United.
Mateta, who’s been dubbed “probably the greatest strikers within the Premier League” by Ben Mattinson, has scored 3 times extra objectives than Sesko, while additionally reaching a greater shot on the right track accuracy price.
How Mateta & Sesko evaluate within the PL (2025/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Mateta | Sesko |
Video games performed | 11 | 11 |
Objectives & assists | 6 | 3 |
Shot on the right track accuracy | 50% | 38% |
Take-on success | 55% | 20% |
Carries into remaining third | 0.8 | 0.4 |
Aerials gained | 51% | 48% |
Photographs on the right track per 90 | 1.4 | 0.9 |
Go accuracy | 65% | 63% |
Stats by way of FBref | ||
Such numbers showcase his medical nature inside the remaining third, typically capable of make the most of extra of the alternatives which have fallen his manner in entrance of aim.
He’s additionally accomplished extra take-ons within the Premier League, while finishing extra carries into the ultimate third per 90, which has actually made him a extra all-round menace.
Aerially, Mateta has dominated, subsequently successful extra of the battles he’s entered – making him the right goal man in Amorim’s present system at Outdated Trafford.
£40m in at present’s market could be an absolute steal for a striker who’s been producing unbelievable goalscoring numbers on the prime degree over a number of years.
As for Sesko, he desperately wants to seek out type within the Premier League to keep away from shedding his place within the aspect at Mateta’s expense forward of January and past.
Sesko repeat: Wilcox plotting Man Utd transfer for “world-class” £70m expertise
Manchester United look set to make yet one more big-money switch in January.
