Manchester United’s summer shake-up, now orchestrated under the sharp gaze of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the tactical mind of Ruben Amorim, is taking real shape. After sealing a deal for Matheus Cunha, the club’s attention has shifted to the glaring need for a true No. 9. And right now, it’s Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta who’s caught their eye. Palace, aware of the interest, smartly extended his deal till 2027, but as ever in football, money talks—and the club seems ready to listen if the price is right.
The departure of Roy Hodgson and the arrival of Oliver Glasner has Palace trying to strike a balance between building momentum and keeping business practical. Selling their FA Cup hero might sting a little, but a fat cheque can smooth over a lot of bruised egos. Meanwhile, Manchester United aren’t alone in circling the Frenchman. Juventus and AC Milan are reportedly tracking Mateta closely, with Juve viewing him as a realistic Plan B after backing off from Victor Osimhen due to his high price tag.
Massimiliano Allegri’s return to AC Milan adds a twist to the race. His tactical sway means any move will hinge heavily on whether he sees Mateta as the kind of No. 9 who can spearhead a new era for the Rossoneri. In that context, the battle for Mateta’s signature is more than just a transfer—it’s about who can best match player with project. And United, if they’re not decisive, could find themselves outpaced again.
For United, Amorim’s system is built on pressing, verticality, and fluid attacking movement. Matheus Cunha already represents that vision—a creative forward who links play and opens space. But Mateta, with his brawn and poaching instinct, would complement it perfectly. He’s not the flashy type, but he’s built to do damage inside the box, making him a natural plug-in for Amorim’s needs.
At 27, Mateta is seasoned but not past his peak. While Højlund still represents the future, his inconsistency and lack of experience have shown. Mateta, on the other hand, offers the here-and-now impact United sorely need. His performance during Palace’s FA Cup triumph has caught the eye across Europe—not just for the goals, but for the big-game mentality he brings.
What’s really turning heads is how affordable he remains. In a market where Championship striker Liam Delap is going for £30 million to Chelsea, Mateta’s price tag seems almost suspiciously low. And United know too well how dawdling can cost them—the ghost of missed signings like Bellingham and De Jong still haunts the club’s boardroom. They can’t afford to let another one slip through their fingers.
The time for dithering is over. If United are serious about a new chapter, they need to act like it. Mateta’s stock won’t stay this attainable for long. Juventus and Milan are lurking, and while the Premier League remains a major draw, it doesn’t count for much without urgency. This could be one of those transfers that fans look back on and say, “That’s where it started to click.”
Mateta might not be a blockbuster name, but that’s not the point. He’s a proper striker—one who’s proven, composed, and made for the grind of English football. United need goals, muscle, and dependability, not just Instagram followers. In a summer full of promise and pressure, signing Mateta could be the savvy move that says, we’re not chasing hype—we’re building something real.
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