Rasmus Hojlund’s expression likely brightened as the ball approached him, presenting the struggling Manchester United forward with what seemed to be a clear opportunity to score against David Raya as the Premier League match on Sunday neared its conclusion.
A confident and in-form striker would have likely taken the shot without a second thought; however, after a streak of 20 games without finding the net, Hojlund hesitated, which allowed Declan Rice to execute a perfectly timed tackle.
Having also been thwarted by Gabriel after connecting with Toby Collyer’s cross at the near post, the 22-year-old Dane faced yet another frustrating match, leaving his Premier League goal tally at just two for the season—equal to that of his defensive teammate, Matthijs de Ligt.
Acquired for a staggering initial fee of £64 million—surpassing the amounts Newcastle United and Manchester City paid for Alexander Isak (£63 million) and Erling Haaland (£51.2 million), respectively—Hojlund is experiencing a challenging season, despite having shown potential earlier in the 2023/24 campaign when he was the club’s leading scorer.
While the former Atalanta player is still young enough to find success at Old Trafford, it appears that INEOS is already exploring new striking options for the upcoming summer transfer window.
Man Utd’s pursuit of Mateta
Recent discussions have been abundant regarding Manchester United’s interest in Crystal Palace standout, Jean-Philippe Mateta. The French publication L’Equipe has reported that talks have already taken place concerning a potential £40 million transfer for the 27-year-old forward.
Since joining Selhurst Park in January 2022 from Mainz, Mateta has emerged as a key player for the Eagles, concluding the previous season with an impressive tally of 16 goals in the Premier League.
Although he experienced a sluggish start to the current season, managing only four goals in the league before the new year, Mateta has found his form in recent months, bringing his total to 12 league goals thus far.
This commendable achievement includes a vital brace in the 2-0 victory for Oliver Glasner’s team against Manchester United at Old Trafford, with Mateta’s overall record against United reflecting three goals in just seven encounters.
It is therefore understandable that the 6-foot-4 forward has attracted the attention of those at the Theatre of Dreams, although he is not the sole striker under consideration by INEOS.
Man Utd’s search for a striker
According to GIVEMESPORT, the key player from Palace has emerged as an unexpected candidate who has significantly risen on their list of potential signings ahead of the summer transfer window. Ruben Amorim is seeking an immediate solution, despite initially favoring a younger player.
The report further indicates that Manchester United’s ideal target is Nigerian star Victor Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.
However, the challenge lies in the fact that securing the 26-year-old appears to be increasingly complicated due to anticipated demands regarding his salary and transfer fee. Additionally, United’s failure to qualify for European competition may pose further obstacles.
Nevertheless, with the possibility of a Europa League victory still within reach, this scenario could change, as Osimhen would provide a significant enhancement over both Hojlund and Mateta.
Man Utd’s dream upgrade on Hojlund & Mateta
Hojlund, the current number nine for Manchester United, has managed to score only seven goals across all competitions this season. In contrast, his positional competitor, Joshua Zirkzee, has found the net six times since his transfer from Bologna, although he has primarily played in a number ten role recently.
The necessity for a prominent attacking figure is evident, which is why acquiring a talent like Osimhen would be an ideal solution. As noted by Statman Dave, the former Lille player is regarded as the “best striker on the market, by some distance.”
Although the highly sought-after forward is currently playing outside of Europe’s top five leagues, he has maintained impressive form, netting 23 goals in just 29 appearances for the Istanbul club this season—equivalent to the total number of goals Hojlund has scored in 80 matches for United.
76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli. 18 goals in 38 matches for Lille. 20 goals in 36 games for the Belgian club Charleroi. This individual has consistently proven his worth at every club he has represented, with the exception of a short goalless period at Wolfsburg. Regarding Mateta, the French forward netted only 27 goals in 71 appearances for Mainz before transferring to the Eagles.
While Osimhen lacks experience in the Premier League, it would be unwise to underestimate his potential impact should he transfer to Manchester.
Analyst Ben Mattinson has referred to him as a “monster,” highlighting that the Lagos native embodies the qualities of a true centre-forward. His performance metrics indicate that he ranks in the top 1% among his European counterparts for touches within the attacking penalty area per 90 minutes over the past year.
Osimhen is not merely an exceptional goal-scorer; he is also described as a “beast in the air” and possesses “insane movement,” according to Mattinson. These qualities make him an ideal candidate for Amorim’s 3-4-3 tactical setup.
With a reported asking price of approximately £62 million this summer, the Napoli forward appears to be a reasonable investment, especially given his impressive scoring record throughout his career. It may be time for United to secure a striker who is currently at the height of his abilities.
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