Manchester United’s search for a new striker in the summer had taken them far and wide, with the club even looking at the Saudi Pro League for options.
Rasmus Hojlund was deemed not good enough, with Ruben Amorim disappointed with the Dane’s four Premier League goals last term.
Jason Wilcox pushed hard for Liam Delap, but the ex-Ipswich Town striker chose Chelsea instead.
With Viktor Gyokeres refusing a reunion with Amorim in favour of Arsenal, and Victor Osimhen’s wage demands pricing United out of the race, INEOS were left scrambling for quality on the market.
Striker search
One of the surprising names on the club’s radar was Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been on fire for Al-Hilal since joining in 2023 from Fulham.
The Serbian netted 28 times from 31 starts across all competitions last season, while also registering seven assists.
The fact that he was Premier League proven, having scored 38 times in the English top-flight for Fulham and Newcastle was what attracted INEOS towards him in the first place.
🚨🇶🇦 Al-Rayyan agree deal to sign Aleksandar Mitrović from Al Hilal, here we go!
Permanent move as Mitrović contract has been terminated, ready for new chapter in Qatar. pic.twitter.com/CuY1pwJHxZ
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 3, 2025
With Al-Hilal open to letting the 30-year-old leave, United had sensed an opportunity for a low-cost deal. They eventually recalibrated their plans and opted to sign Benjamin Sesko instead.
Mitrovic finds new home
And now, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the “unbelievable” Serbia international has joined Qatari side Al-Rayyan after his contract in Saudi Arabia was terminated.
“Al-Rayyan agree deal to sign Aleksandar Mitrović from Al Hilal, here we go!
“Permanent move as Mitrović contract has been terminated, ready for new chapter in Qatar,” Romano wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
United have certainly done the right thing by overlooking Aleksandar Mitrović, who would have been a short-term solution at best, in favour of signing Sesko.
Hopefully, the Slovenian can start banging in the goals soon to ease the pressure on his head coach.
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
