Manchester United may make move for Crystal Palace star | OneFootball

Man Utd presented with renewed striker opening after January twist

Manchester United may feel that January closed with more questions than answers, but a curious aftershock to deadline day has reopened a familiar door. As reported by the Mirror, the collapse of a late move has quietly altered the landscape around one of United’s long tracked forward targets, and timing now matters almost as much as talent.

Jean Philippe Mateta’s proposed switch to AC Milan unravelled after a failed medical, reportedly linked to a knee issue he had been managing. With no deal possible, the striker returned to Crystal Palace, although not to any sense of stability.

Photo IMAGO

Palace had already moved decisively, committing £48m to Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen, a statement of intent that inevitably reshapes Mateta’s status at Selhurst Park.

Photo IMAGO

For United, this feels less like coincidence and more like football’s strange habit of circling back. Mateta has been on their radar for years, admired for his physical presence, durability and output in a league that increasingly values certainty over projection. With Palace now stocked in attacking areas and Mateta’s contract running until 2027, the balance of leverage may be shifting.

Palace uncertainty reshapes Mateta outlook

The immediate consequence of Palace’s January business is a narrowing pathway for Mateta. His absence from the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest was telling, with Oliver Glasner admitting the striker was “not at his best” amid growing uncertainty. It was only the second Premier League match Mateta has missed since November 2023, a reminder of both his reliability and his importance.

Statistically, Palace are facing an awkward dilemma. Mateta remains their leading scorer this season, with 10 goals in 34 appearances, and he has topped the club’s scoring charts in each of the past three campaigns. Relegating that level of output to rotation would be a bold call, particularly for a side that has relied heavily on his presence through the middle.

Photo IMAGO

Yet Palace’s decision to invest heavily in Strand Larsen signals a willingness to move forward without him. That leaves Mateta in an uncomfortable middle ground, too valuable to discard lightly, but potentially expendable if contract talks continue to drift.

United strategy and striker balance

United’s interest must be understood within a broader recruitment context. Old Trafford has recently leaned towards Premier League proven profiles, favouring familiarity over adaptation risk. The arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo last year underlined that approach, and both have delivered promising early returns.

That said, the pathway into United’s starting line up is far from clear. Over £200m was committed to attacking reinforcements last summer, with Benjamin Sesko installed as the new focal point. The Slovenian has endured scrutiny after an uneven start, but three goals in his last three matches hint at momentum building. If that trend continues, minutes at centre forward will be contested.

Photo IMAGO

Joshua Zirkzee’s experience offers a cautionary parallel. Signed with expectation, he has found opportunities sporadic, squeezed by competition and tactical priorities. Mateta would arrive aware of those realities, but also conscious that United’s depth has fluctuated sharply in recent seasons.

Transfer priorities ahead of summer window

The prevailing expectation remains that United’s summer focus will fall on midfield reinforcement. Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba have all been linked, reflecting a desire to modernise the engine room rather than simply add firepower.

Still, transfer windows rarely unfold along straight lines. A proven Premier League striker, potentially available at a reduced fee to avoid a future free transfer, presents a temptation. Mateta may not headline a rebuild, but as squad evolution continues, United may find that opportunity and pragmatism briefly align.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

United circling a striker already proven in the Premier League has become something of a comfort blanket after years of adaptation gambles that never quite landed. Mateta may not scream glamour signing, but there is an appeal in reliability, particularly for a squad that has lurched between extremes in recent seasons.

Fans will inevitably question where he fits. Sesko was bought to lead the line, and recent goals suggest patience may finally be rewarded. Yet United’s attacking depth has repeatedly proven fragile, either through injuries or form drops. Mateta’s physical profile, durability and experience offer something different, a player who understands the league’s rhythm and demands.

There is also a sense of timing. At 28, Mateta represents a short to medium term solution rather than a long term project, and that may suit a club trying to stabilise rather than constantly reset. Supporters are acutely aware that midfield remains the priority, but football rarely offers clean choices. If a proven striker becomes available at the right price, many would see it as sensible opportunism rather than distraction.

Ultimately, United fans crave coherence. If Mateta fits a wider plan rather than papering over cracks, the idea will be met with cautious approval rather than excitement. That alone says much about the current mood around Old Trafford.