Manchester United primed to make move for “amazing” 10-goal striker after deadline day transfer falls through

Old Trafford. (Unsplash)

Manchester United suddenly look like a club reborn.

What felt like a drifting, disjointed season has been jolted into life under Michael Carrick, whose interim spell in the dugout could hardly have started better.

Three matches, three wins. Carrick has guided United past Manchester City, Arsenal and Fulham in a stunning run that already matches — and arguably surpasses — anything achieved by Ruben Amorim during his entire tenure.

Confidence is back, performances are sharper, and with West Ham next on the agenda, optimism is growing quickly at Old Trafford.

The January transfer window passed without fireworks, but that has only sharpened focus on the summer.

Recruitment plans are already taking shape behind the scenes, and regardless of who is in charge next season, United appear to have identified a familiar Premier League name they believe could elevate their attack.

Manchester United are weighing up a potential summer move for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta after his proposed deadline-day switch to AC Milan collapsed in dramatic fashion.

Mateta’s move to Italy fell apart after the 28-year-old failed a late medical, reportedly due to an ongoing knee issue. With the deal scrapped, the French forward was forced to return to Selhurst Park — but his future there is now far from secure.

Palace had already planned for life without him, rushing through a £48m deal for Wolves striker Jørgen Strand Larsen before the window closed. That late move has left Mateta in an awkward position, with his role under Oliver Glasner suddenly unclear.

According to The Mirror, United are monitoring the situation closely. The Red Devils have previously tracked Mateta and now see an opportunity emerging, particularly as they continue to prioritise Premier League-proven forwards following the successful additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last year.

Mateta has scored 10 goals this season and has been labelled “amazing” by Glasner. His contract runs until 2027, but negotiations over a new deal have stalled, potentially allowing United to negotiate a reduced fee rather than risk Palace losing him for nothing down the line.

With Carrick restoring belief and momentum at Old Trafford, United are clearly planning ahead rather than reacting.

Mateta may not be the flashiest name on the market, but his physicality, goals and top-flight experience tick several boxes. If Palace are open to doing business, this could be a quietly smart move that strengthens United’s attack for the long term.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.

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