{"id":50349,"date":"2026-07-18T18:47:18","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T22:47:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers\/"},"modified":"2026-07-18T18:47:18","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T22:47:18","slug":"why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Manchester United want to sign &#8216;one of Europe&#8217;s best strikers&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers\/#Why_Van_Persie_is_one_of_Uniteds_most_underrated_attackers\" >Why Van Persie is one of United&#8217;s most underrated attackers<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers\/#Man_United_considering_signing_next_Van_Persie\" >Man United considering signing next Van Persie<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/07\/18\/why-manchester-united-want-to-sign-one-of-europes-best-strikers\/#How_Manchester_United_plan_to_bring_their_own_Jude_Bellingham_to_Old_Trafford\" >How Manchester United plan to bring their own Jude Bellingham to Old Trafford<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>During last summer&#8217;s transfer window, Manchester United made it a priority to strengthen their attacking team as they aim to break into the Premier League&#8217;s top five.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p>INEOS have completely overhauled their front three for the 2025\/26 season, spending more than \u00a3200m on the signings of Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    They all finished their debut season as the Red Devils&#8217; top three scorers, with Sesko and Mbeumo tied at the top of the scoring list with 11 goals each.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-van-persie-is-one-of-united-rsquo-s-most-underrated-attackers\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Van_Persie_is_one_of_Uniteds_most_underrated_attackers\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Why Van Persie is one of United&#8217;s most underrated attackers<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Back in the summer of 2012, United signed striker Robin van Persie from rivals Arsenal for \u00a324 million, a deal that caused great controversy among Gunners faithful.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    Such a deal is undoubtedly one of the best in the club&#8217;s 148-year history. That&#8217;s because he made an immediate impact upon his arrival and helped the club achieve Premier League glory.<\/p>\n<p>Van Persie scored 30 goals in 48 appearances in his debut season with the Red Devils, 26 of which came in England&#8217;s top flight, and finished the season as the division&#8217;s top scorer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"table-container\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"1\" cellspacing=\"1\" style=\"\" align=\"\" summary=\"\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th colspan=\"2\" scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Manchester United&#8217;s top scorer in the Premier League<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>season<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<th scope=\"col\" style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>top scorer<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>25\/26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Benjamin Sesco &#038; Mateus Cunha &#8211; 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>24\/25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bruno Fernandes &#038; Amad Diallo &#8211; 8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>23\/24<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bruno Fernandes &#038; Rasmus Hoylund &#8211; 10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>22\/23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Marcus Rashford \u2013 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>21\/22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Cristiano Ronaldo \u2013 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>20\/21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Bruno Fernandes &#8211; 18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>19\/20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Marcus Rashford &#038; Anthony Martial &#8211; 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>18\/19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Paul Pogba &#8211; 13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>17\/18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Romelu Lukaku &#8211; 16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>16\/17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Zlatan Ibrahimovic \u2013 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>15\/16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Anthony Martial &#8211; 11<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>14\/15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Wayne Rooney &#8211; 12<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>13\/14<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Wayne Rooney &#8211; 17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>12\/13<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align:center\">\n<p>Robin van Persie &#8211; 26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"man-utd-now-looking-to-sign-their-next-van-persie\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Man_United_considering_signing_next_Van_Persie\"><\/span>\n                        <strong>Man United considering signing next Van Persie<\/strong><br \/>\n               <span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>United&#8217;s \u00a3200m spending last summer is proof that times have changed, with no player in the attacking trio joining for less than \u00a360m.<\/p>\n<p>    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.<\/p>\n<p>Journalist Rudy Galetti has reported that manager Michael Carrick&#8217;s team are in talks to sign the France international this summer.<\/p>\n<p>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 \u00a325m.<\/p>\n<p>Sesco is undoubtedly the Red Devils&#8217; number one centre-forward option, but a deal for Mateta would give United a proven Premier League talisman, similar to Van Persie.<\/p>\n<p>He is a player in the prime of his career at the top level, but that hasn&#8217;t stopped him from attracting attention and excelling in the final third.<\/p>\n<p>    Mateta, described by Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney as &#8220;one of the best strikers in Europe&#8221;, has scored an astonishing 52 goals in all competitions over the past three seasons.<\/p>\n<p>He also scored 12 goals in England&#8217;s top flight last season, ahead of new signing Sesco, who arrived from RB Leipzig for \u00a370m last summer.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>His ability in the air could make him the perfect focal point for Carrick&#8217;s side, which could allow the likes of Mbeumo and Cunha to increase their scoring numbers next season.<\/p>\n<p>Paying \u00a325 million for a player with Premier League experience and talent in front of goal would be another huge undertaking for INEOS and United.<\/p>\n<p>    Similar to Van Persie&#8217;s move 14 years ago, the club will likely sign players from the same English First Division side to ensure success domestically.<\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;s side throughout the 2026\/27 season.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"display-card  article article-card small  no-badge  active-content                              \" data-include-community-rating=\"false\" id=\"how-man-utd-plan-to-bring-own-bellingham-larsson-to-old-trafford\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n<p>                        <\/p>\n<p>                    <span data-field=\"label\" class=\"article-card-label\"><label>related<\/label><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-content regular article-block\">\n<h5 class=\"display-card-title \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Manchester_United_plan_to_bring_their_own_Jude_Bellingham_to_Old_Trafford\"><\/span>\n<p>\t\t\tHow Manchester United plan to bring their own Jude Bellingham to Old Trafford<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p class=\"display-card-excerpt\">Man United missed out on Jude Bellingham in 2020, but could their next big midfield talent head to Old Trafford?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>During last summer&#8217;s transfer window, Manchester United made it a priority to strengthen their attacking team as they aim to break into the Premier League&#8217;s top five. INEOS have completely overhauled their front three for the 2025\/26 season, spending more than \u00a3200m on the signings of Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. Huge sums [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":50350,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[933,40,106,43,3080,107],"class_list":["post-50349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-football","tag-europes","tag-football","tag-manchester","tag-sign","tag-strikers","tag-united"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50349","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50349"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50349\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50350"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50349"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50349"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50349"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}