The brand new Premier League season inches ever nearer, though Manchester United’s seek for a brand new striker continues to be dragging on.
Talking in Friday’s press convention, supervisor Ruben Amorim hinted that he might even trial Matheus Cunha or Bryan Mbeumo in a quantity 9 position, having urged that the 2 new arrivals “can play as a striker”.
In fact, the pair – who scored 35 league objectives between them in 2024 – can lead the road if wanted, however it could not be the best answer. United can now not tolerate a ‘sq. pegs in spherical holes’ coverage.
Sure, a dearth of funds – and an incapability to maneuver on the likes of Rasmus Hojlund – might nicely power Amorim’s hand, though the Portuguese coach shouldn’t need to resort to plugging the hole with an unorthodox choice. A correct striker is so as.
Up to now this summer season, United’s top-flight rivals have already strengthened their very own ranks in that division. Certainly, Chelsea have acquired Liam Delap and Joao Pedro. Arsenal have snapped up Viktor Gyokeres. Liverpool – recent from signing Hugo Ekitike – might even land the cream of the crop, Alexander Isak.
The Previous Trafford aspect now want to hitch the occasion…
Main targets emerge in Man United striker search
As already acknowledged, the Pink Devils aren’t precisely armed with a switch warfare chest, with current studies outlining that offers for the likes of Isak – and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko – are more likely to show too costly at current.
Within the case of Sesko, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell outlined that United have been within the Slovenian “for years”, and have stayed in common contact, albeit with the 22-year-old seemingly being lined as much as exchange Isak at Newcastle United.
In response to studies in Spain, the £70m-rated marksman stays on INEOS’ five-man striker shortlist, with Crystal Palace talisman Jean-Philippe Mateta additionally famous as a type of ‘main targets’.
The 28-year-old – who has reportedly been valued at round £40m-£50m – is deemed to be among the many extra ‘accessible’ of the membership’s targets, having beforehand been linked with a transfer to Previous Trafford earlier this summer season.
Whereas Mateta won’t be a glamour acquisition amid a summer season of high-profile centre-forward signings, he might symbolize the right various to a participant like Sesko.
How Mateta compares to Benjamin Sesko
It does seem the case that United have repeatedly missed the boat with regard to Sesko, having reportedly turned down the possibility to signal him for simply £2.5m again in 2019, whereas additionally dropping out because the 6 foot 4 sensation joined Leipzig in 2022.
An thrilling, high-potential striker who has scored 27 Bundesliga objectives throughout the final two seasons, it’s straightforward to see why the previous Pink Bull Salzburg man is producing such curiosity, with any aspect more likely to reap the rewards of bringing him into the fold.
Mateta, at six years his senior, is perhaps extra of a short-term repair than a marquee, long-term answer, though on the proof of his current Palace heroics, he can be definitely worth the funding.
Additionally a towering, bodily point of interest of a striker, like Sesko, at 6 foot 4, the Frenchman is definitely deemed to be a statistically and stylistically related striker to the Leipzig starlet, amongst these of their place throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues, as per FBref.
Like Sesko, Mateta has been a solidly constant performer during the last two campaigns, particularly, having scored 30 league objectives mixed at Selhurst Park in that point.
Just like the Slovenian worldwide too, Oliver Glasner’s most important man beforehand made his mark in German soccer, previous to shifting to south London, having scored 27 occasions in 71 video games for Mainz.
On the statistical entrance, as evidenced beneath, the pair do share an actual likeness, having boasted the same scoring price, whereas additionally having fun with the same document with regard to progressive carries and progressive passes, alongside touches within the attacking penalty space.
Mateta vs Sesko – 24/25 League stats | ||
|---|---|---|
Stat (per 90) | Mateta | Sesko |
Objectives | 0.48 | 0.49 |
Objectives + Assists | 0.54 | 0.68 |
Progressive passes | 1.53 | 1.78 |
Progressive carries | 1.77 | 1.74 |
Shot-creating actions | 2.21 | 1.93 |
Photographs on the right track | 0.99 | 1.10 |
Cross accuracy | 65.1% | 67.6% |
Touches in opposition field | 3.20 | 3.45 |
Aerial duels received | 2.14 | 2.65 |
Stats through FBref | ||
The fantastic thing about each males is that they’re true strikers via and thru, working as an orthodox, nearly old school attacking figurehead.
Certainly, in keeping with Transfermarkt, Mateta has solely as soon as performed as a winger, with the remainder of his profession outings coming via the center. Sesko, in the meantime, has solely made 5 recorded appearances exterior of working as the principle man in assault.
Whereas there could also be intrigue over deploying a extra fluid assault, involving a determine like Cunha or Mbeumo because the spearhead, current years have outlined the necessity for United to return to fundamentals with the addition of a correct poacher.
Sesko would, undoubtedly, be an thrilling addition, though – as hailed by journalist Rory Smith – Mateta is an “extraordinary” expertise in his personal proper, having been enjoying “like authentic Ronaldo” for the Eagles.
He may very well be simply what Amorim is in want of.
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Manchester United may very well be about to overlook about Benjamin Sesko with one other transfer elsewhere.
