Manchester United were desperate to sign a new No. 9 this summer to put an end to their struggles in front of goal.
The Red Devils found the back of the net just 44 times in 38 Premier League games last season and subsequently finished in 15th place in the league table.
INEOS worked with military precision over the summer to secure the signature of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig to lead the line this season. The Slovenian arrived with an impressive CV but has been a little slow off the blocks at the Theatre of Dreams.
Sesko not the finished material yet
Sesko has scored two goals in nine games for the English giants so far, both of which have come in the Premier League.
While the 22 year old has shown promise, the general belief is that the absence of an experienced striker in United’s squad is hindering his development.
The Red Devils remain attentive to the situation and continue to be linked with several names for the job, including Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The Frenchman was outstanding for the Eagles last season, registering 17 goals in 46 appearances. Mateta has carried that form into this campaign, scoring seven times in 13 games across competitions.
A recent report from The Peoples Person stated that the 28 year old’s performances have convinced United, who are already considering a move in 2026. The Red Devils have now received some good news in their pursuit of Mateta.
Mateta unlikely to sign extension
Writing in his column for Caught Offside, journalist Mark Brus said that the Eagles are resigned to losing Mateta in 2026. The Frenchman is under contract at Selhurst Park until 2027, so he will enter the final year of his deal next summer.
One source told Brus that Mateta is unlikely to agree to an extension, adding: “Palace had hoped to tie him down to a new contract, but I think there’s a growing realisation now that the player is unlikely to engage further in talks.”
Another source said: “Mateta is one to watch for sure. A new contract doesn’t look likely, so they may well feel it’s a good time to cash in. Don’t be surprised if £40m gets a deal done.”
INEOS have invested heavily in players with Premier League experience this summer, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo already hitting the ground running at the Theatre of Dreams.
As such, a move for Mateta makes perfect sense for the Premier League giants. However, United are likely to face competition from Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race.
Featured image Julian Finney via Getty Images
The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
