Manchester United’s January business looks done after signing Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven’s signing but a hole in the squad is becoming increasingly clear.
The 0-2 loss to Crystal Palace laid bare their deficiency up front with Kobbie Mainoo starting as the striker and Joshua Zirkzee plus Rasmus Hojlund not helping much after coming on.
All of a sudden, with the left wing-back hole filled, the team is crying out for a striker who can reliably score goals because United look down and out up top at the moment.
Paul Merson has just the right player for United, urging the club to sign the man ‘100 times better than anyone at the club right now.
Paul Merson urges Man Utd to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta
The loss to Palace would’ve hurt Ruben Amorim even more because the difference between the two teams was so clear and obvious.
It was just one player – Crystal Palace had a clinical striker up front who scored both goals while United had Kobbie Mainoo hovering around the two giant defenders in the Palace backline.
Merson, speaking on Sky Sports’ transfer deadline day coverage, urged United to go out and snap u Mateta for themselves.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
He said a clinical finisher is what they need and the fact that Mateta works harder and runs his socks off every game is what Ruben Amorim desires which makes him perfect.
Merson said: “Man Utd should get Mateta, that’s what they need. He’s a strong lad up front, playing at the top of his game, he leads the line, scoring goals now. He runs and works his socks off harder than anyone you know.
“But they won’t because he plays for Palace. And everyone would go: what are you buying him for? But he’s 100 times better than anyone Man Utd have in the front line. Not Amad, he’s a young kid – but he’s much better than Hojlund and Zirkzee at the moment.
Mateta is a realistic summer target for Man Utd
While Merson has gotten a bit carried away with recency bias when it comes to his praise for Mateta, he’s not entirely wrong either.
He’s a realistic target for the summer but playing for Palace is not why United are unlikely to go for him, see Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
It’s the fact that he’ll be 28 when the next season begins, directly contrasting Ineos’ philosophy of buying young and upcoming players.
At the same time, it can be argued that the striker is the one position where United can’t afford to gamble on potential, having already seen two failed gambles in Zirkzee and Hojlund.
Mateta is the most glamorous option but he’s certainly not looking the worst one out there!
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