Amorim now wants United to sign ‘extraordinary’ £50m star | OneFootball

Manchester United have had a difficult Premier League campaign, and they are presently 14th in the table with just 33 points from 27 games.

The club have scored only 33 goals in the same period, and manager Ruben Amorim has admitted that his team are struggling to find the back of the net.

The Sun now claim that the Portuguese wants a new striker during the next transfer window. He is targeting a shock move for Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres is the ideal target for the head coach, but a deal seems unlikely unless United qualify for the Champions League next season.

United have earmarked Mateta as the fallback option and have monitored his last three matches.

Mateta would be a shrewd signing for United

The Frenchman struggled during his initial spell in the Premier League with the Eagles. He netted just 10 goals from his first 67 appearances for the London side.

However, his fortunes have transformed in the last 21 months. The arrival of manager Oliver Glasner has played a significant part in his change in fortunes at Palace.

Mateta, described as ‘extraordinary‘ by journalist Rory Smith, has netted 34 goals in his last 72 appearances.

He has been in a rich vein of form this year, with eight goals from as many league games for the Eagles.

The former Mainz man has caught the eye with his high pressing and positioning in the box. He has a fantastic shot-to-goal conversion rate of 22 percent in the league.

In our view, he would be a shrewd acquisition for Amorim with his knack for scoring goals.

United are lacking someone who can capitalise on scoring opportunities. Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have been prone to squandering big chances.

Mateta would provide an instant solution with his vast Premier League experience, but he is unlikely to come on the cheap, with Palace set to hold out for £50 million.

United could be better off signing the Olympic silver medalist instead of a striker from abroad, who may take time to adapt to the league’s intensity and physicality.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

Article written by Sri Aswin .