During last summer’s transfer window, Manchester United made it a priority to strengthen their attacking team as they aim to break into the Premier League’s top five.
INEOS have completely overhauled their front three for the 2025/26 season, spending more than £200m on the signings of Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.
Huge sums of money were spent on the aforementioned talent, but such an investment was worth it, as the trio scored a top-flight 32 goals last term.
They all finished their debut season as the Red Devils’ top three scorers, with Sesko and Mbeumo tied at the top of the scoring list with 11 goals each.
But despite making an immediate impact at Old Trafford, there was a long road ahead for the attacking stars to emulate their success in Manchester.
Why Van Persie is one of United’s most underrated attackers
Back in the summer of 2012, United signed striker Robin van Persie from rivals Arsenal for £24 million, a deal that caused great controversy among Gunners faithful.
The Dutchman was seen as the perfect attacking player to bring further success to the Red Devils under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford.
Such a deal is undoubtedly one of the best in the club’s 148-year history. That’s because he made an immediate impact upon his arrival and helped the club achieve Premier League glory.
Van Persie scored 30 goals in 48 appearances in his debut season with the Red Devils, 26 of which came in England’s top flight, and finished the season as the division’s top scorer.
Manchester United’s top scorer in the Premier League | |
|---|---|
season | top scorer |
25/26 | Benjamin Sesco & Mateus Cunha – 11 |
24/25 | Bruno Fernandes & Amad Diallo – 8 |
23/24 | Bruno Fernandes & Rasmus Hoylund – 10 |
22/23 | Marcus Rashford – 17 |
21/22 | Cristiano Ronaldo – 18 |
20/21 | Bruno Fernandes – 18 |
19/20 | Marcus Rashford & Anthony Martial – 17 |
18/19 | Paul Pogba – 13 |
17/18 | Romelu Lukaku – 16 |
16/17 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 17 |
15/16 | Anthony Martial – 11 |
14/15 | Wayne Rooney – 12 |
13/14 | Wayne Rooney – 17 |
12/13 | Robin van Persie – 26 |
The Dutchman spent a further two seasons at the Theater of Dreams, scoring 28 goals in 57 games and continuing his impressive scoring record after his move from Arsenal.
He finished his spell in Manchester with 58 goals in 105 games across all competitions. This is a record of scoring the back of the net once every 1.8 games.
The 42-year-old certainly offered good value for money and was even considered a bargain in a deal like this, with United acquiring a player who impressed during the prime of his career.
Man United considering signing next Van Persie
The current transfer market is in a completely different situation than it was 14 years ago, with huge amounts of capital required to secure top-level talent.
United’s £200m spending last summer is proof that times have changed, with no player in the attacking trio joining for less than £60m.
However, despite the high spending, there are still bargains to be had and the transfer of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta definitely falls into that category.
Journalist Rudy Galetti has reported that manager Michael Carrick’s team are in talks to sign the France international this summer.
They also report that the 29-year-old attacker has just one year left on his current contract at Selhurst Park and could be snapped up for just £25m.
Sesco is undoubtedly the Red Devils’ number one centre-forward option, but a deal for Mateta would give United a proven Premier League talisman, similar to Van Persie.
He is a player in the prime of his career at the top level, but that hasn’t stopped him from attracting attention and excelling in the final third.
Mateta, described by Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney as “one of the best strikers in Europe”, has scored an astonishing 52 goals in all competitions over the past three seasons.
He also scored 12 goals in England’s top flight last season, ahead of new signing Sesco, who arrived from RB Leipzig for £70m last summer.
As well as his incredible goal tally, the Palace star also attracted attention for his incredible hold-up play, going on to win 2.7 in 90 aerial duels throughout the 2025/26 campaign.
His ability in the air could make him the perfect focal point for Carrick’s side, which could allow the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha to increase their scoring numbers next season.
Paying £25 million for a player with Premier League experience and talent in front of goal would be another huge undertaking for INEOS and United.
Similar to Van Persie’s move 14 years ago, the club will likely sign players from the same English First Division side to ensure success domestically.
If he can reach anything close to the level the Dutchman produced at Old Trafford, it would be another bargain signing and could make the difference for Carrick’s side throughout the 2026/27 season.
