Man United want ‘surprise’ Hojlund replacement as Amorim’s ‘dream’ signing ‘increasingly difficult’

Man United want ‘surprise’ Hojlund replacement as Amorim’s ‘dream’ signing ‘increasingly difficult’

According to sources, Man Utd is hoping to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta during the summer transfer season to replace Rasmus Hojlund.

In November, Sir Jim Ratcliffe decided to fire Erik ten Hag and bring in Amorim to replace him because the Red Devils are having a disastrous season under INEOS.

After their 1-1 tie with Arsenal on Sunday, Manchester United is now 14th in the Premier League, and Amorim is already facing a lot of pressure to improve his play and results.

With only five Premier League victories in his first 17 games as manager, Amorim’s results have been worse than Ten Hag’s tenure at Old Trafford.

The strikers at Old Trafford have come under particular scrutiny this season with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scoring just five Premier League goals between them this season.

Only five Premier League sides have scored fewer goals than Man Utd this season and their attack could require some major surgery in the summer with rumours that Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho could leave.

And now GiveMeSport claim that Crystal Palace striker Mateta – who has scored 15 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions – is ‘a surprise name that has shot up their list of considerations as head coach Ruben Amorim makes early preparations for his first full season at the Old Trafford helm’.

The report adds:

‘Sources indicate that the Red Devils’ recruitment team made a key decision late last year to refine their scouting process, looking at players who could settle quickly and fit seamlessly into the squad.

‘The focus has had to shift away from more high-risk, high-reward signings and, instead, they are looking at more pragmatic options – players with proven Premier League experience who will not require a long adaptation period.

It is understood that they decided to do this as part of the contingency plans in case the season did not end how they hoped.

‘It is in this context that Mateta’s name entered the conversation. The Crystal Palace striker has been in hot form in 2025, catching the eye with his goalscoring exploits, including two goals against Manchester United in February.’

Despite interest in Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, there is a ‘belief internally is that Mateta could be the better option given the club’s immediate need for goals next season’.

Victor Osimhen, not Mateta, is Amorim’s ‘dream target’ but ‘signing him appears increasingly difficult’ as a potential lack of European football next season, unless Man Utd win the Europa League, making it ‘tough to attract him, and meeting his transfer fee and wage demands could be unrealistic in the current financial climate’.