The young forward joined Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in forming an entirely new frontline for Ruben Amorim. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Sam Allardyce is of the belief that Jean Philippe-Mateta would’ve been much better suited to Manchester United’s squad this summer over Benjamin Sesko.
The Old Trafford faithful may recall that Mateta was actually brought up in conversations regarding United’s striker targets throughout the transfer window, but the club never went as far as materialising their interest.
United made Benjamin Sesko their first choice after INEOS intervention
INEOS chiefs eventually narrowed down their shortlist to two options in the form of Ollie Watkins and Sesko. Reports suggested at the time that Ruben Amorim would’ve preferred to add the former to his ranks, while recruitment director Christopher Vivell pushed for Sesko, having built a strong relationship with him at both Red Bull sides he represented.
United went on to agree a £73.7 million deal with RB Leipzig for the Slovenian, 22, who opened his Premier League account last Saturday with United’s only goal in their 3-1 defeat to Brentford.
Mateta, like Watkins, would’ve been a more experienced and senior option than the route the Reds decided to take.
The 28-year-old Crystal Palace frontman notched 38 goals over his last five Premier League seasons and has taken his tally up to 40 since 2025/2026 got underway, scoring against Aston Villa and West Ham.
Allardyce explains why Mateta made more sense for Amorim this year
He played an integral role in the Seagulls securing their first-ever major honour when winning the FA Cup last May, as well as their Community Shield triumph over Liverpool in August.
Even if United had moved to try and prise him from Oliver Glasner’s grasp, it’s unlikely Palace would’ve sanctioned his departure; they’ve been locked in contract negotiations with Mateta for several months now in hopes of tying him down to a more long-term deal, with his terms currently due to expire in 2027.
“Do you know who I’d have bought, more than anybody else? Mateta, absolutely. The centre-forward is absolutely brilliant and why they didn’t buy him, I don’t know, especially when the big strikers are coming back [into fashion],” said Allardyce on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast.
“You look at the size of the lad that Newcastle signed [Nick Woltemade], you look at the size of the centre-forwards again. Mateta is winning in a team, and winning the FA Cup, and getting to Europe, and it took him more than a year to do it.
“There aren’t many centre-forwards as good as he is. Why did nobody go: ‘Bang!’, Manchester United? Because he’s got everything.”
