Manchester United should sign Crystal Palace and France striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, according to former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna.
United have endured significant struggles in their search for a suitable No 9, having spent a combined £145.7million on Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko across the past three seasons.
Hojlund was sent out on loan at the start of the campaign after scoring just four times last season. His replacement, Sesko, managed two goals before suffering a knee injury against Tottenham prior to the international break, an issue expected to rule him out until mid-December.
United’s misery in front of goal was further highlighted in Monday night’s defeat to Everton, where they registered 25 attempts at Jordan Pickford’s goal but hit the target only six times, ultimately finishing the match frustrated and goalless.
Sagna, 42, who made 213 appearances for Arsenal during his seven-year spell in north London from 2007, has now put forward the Eagles striker as an ideal fit for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The former defender, who also had a three-year spell at Manchester City, told Oddspedia: ‘It would make sense if Jean-Philippe Mateta went to Manchester United,’ he said. ‘They don’t really have a No 9 who is tall, can hold the ball and can get on the end of crosses.
Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has thrown his support behind Manchester United signing Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta from their Premier League rivals Crystal Palace
United have endured significant struggles in their search for a suitable No 9, having spent a combined £145.7million on Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko across the past three seasons
Sagna, 42, who made 213 appearances for Arsenal during his seven-year spell in north London from 2007, described Mateta’s ability to ‘get on the end of crosses’ as perfect for United
‘It could be difficult for him as a new player coming into a club where there are a lot of new players and transferring his skills across from Crystal Palace, but a move to Old Trafford would be good for him and the club.’
Mateta, 28, joined Crystal Palace on loan from Bundesliga side Mainz midway through the 2020-21 season before signing permanently in January 2022. He has been central to their progress under Oliver Glasner, scoring 52 goals in 166 appearances.
The Selhurst Park club triggered a one-year contract extension last December, keeping him in south London until June 2027.
Reports have suggested that contract negotiations have since stalled over salary demands. It is understood he is ambitious to compete at the highest level, a desire that has intensified since he received his first call-up to the France national team in October.
Sagna continued: ‘It will be difficult for Palace to keep hold of him, and it’s the right moment for him to move if he wants the test of playing for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.
‘He’s not a young player anymore and it might be one of the last moves of his career, so he will probably push for it if the opportunity arises.’
Meanwhile Manchester United failed to capitalise on dropped points across the Premier League weekend with defeat at the hands of Everton consigning them to 10th.
Everton dominated all night long and Amorim, who walked into the press room with his head bowed, admitted he is worried about this side taking too many backward steps.
Mateta has been central to Palace’s progress the last few years, winning the FA Cup last term
United’s struggles in front of goal were compounded by their 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday
‘I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern,’ he said.
‘We need to work together. We are going to work together. The players are trying but we need to be better. We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare the next one.
‘The way we see the results of the weekend, we should get inside the pitch with a different excitement. That is my feeling.
‘It doesn’t matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling, and Old Trafford was there saying we are all here to give you a big step up and I felt that we were not ready.
‘Again, these five weeks everyone is praising our evolution. I’m always saying the same things. We are not even near at the moment where we’re supposed to be in this club.’
Next up is none other than Mateta and co at Selhurst Park on Sunday in the Premier League.
