Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stance on Man Utd transfer as Ruben Amorim eyes move

A move to Manchester United would reportedly ‘appeal’ to Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta despite the Red Devils’ ongoing struggles under Ruben Amorim.

Mateta, 27, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford following his impressive exploits for Oliver Glasner’s Palace.

The Frenchman has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in the Premier League over the past two seasons, scoring 19 goals last season.

Mateta is well on his way to surpassing that figure this term, netting eight goals in his last ten games, including a brace against Manchester United last month.

The Sun say Premier League giants United are considering a summer move for Mateta, having sent scouts to watch his last three games.

Amorim looks in desperate need for some attacking reinforcements, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee – who cost more than £100m – scoring just five goals in the Premier League this season.

United have been heavily linked with Amorim’s former Sporting Lisbon star Viktor Gyokeres, who has netted a staggering 80 goals in 89 games for the Portuguese club.

Amorim was expected to sanction a big-money deal for the Sweden international but Gyokeres is only interested in leaving Sporting for another Champions League club.

Sitting 14th in the Premier League, Manchester United have no chance of a top-four finish, though they will still sneak into next year’s Champions League if they win the Europa League.

Amorim’s side drew 1-1 with Real Sociedad on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

There is a belief inside Old Trafford that Mateta could be a shrewd – and cheaper – acquisition to play in Amorim’s favoured 3-4-3 system.

The Sun say a move to the fallen Premier League giants would ‘appeal’ to Mateta, who believes he is ready to play for a club who remain one of the biggest in the world despite their alarming drop-off since Sir Alex Ferguson walked away.

Having signed Mateta for just £11m back in 2022, Crystal Palace will make a huge profit if they do agree to sell this summer.

Glasner will be without Mateta for at least a few weeks after he suffered a horrific injury during Palace’s FA Cup victory over Millwall.

Mateta was given oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital after he was kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Speaking towards the end of the January transfer window, ex-Arsenal and England winger Paul Merson urged Manchester United to make a surprise move for Mateta.

‘United should get Mateta, that’s what they need,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘He’s a strong lad up front, playing at the top of his game, he leads the line, scoring goals now. He runs and works his socks off harder than anyone you know.

‘But they won’t because he plays for Palace. And everyone would go: “what are you buying him for?”

‘But he’s 100 times better than anyone Man Utd have in the front line. Not Amad, he’s a young kid – but he’s much better than Hojlund and Zirkzee at the moment.’

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