Man Utd information: £40m striker ‘to signal on one situation’ as Michael Carrick has January plan
Manchester United return to action next weekend as Michael Carrick seeks improved results and he would love to bolster his squad with a big January transfer
Manchester United would like to sign a new striker
Manchester United are weighing up a January transfer for a new striker but the move would not be able to go ahead without one condition being met.
Michael Carrick will be hoping to turn around the Red Devil’s poor start to the season with a win at home against bottom of the league Tottenham Hotspur when club football returns after an elongated international break. One area of his team he would love to be able to address is the lack of firepower in attack.
So far, United have managed just one win in the Premier League, over newly-promoted Ipswich Town. And while a victory was also earned against Champions League minnows Sabah, Carrick’s side were dumped out of the Carabao Cup at home to Brighton and slumped to defeats against Hull City and Manchester City, plus dismal draws with Everton and Fulham. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
(Image: Marc Atkins, Getty Images)
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Harry Amass strategy
Academy product Amass came close to departing United during the summer and was among several promising talents the club was prepared to allow to leave, reports the Mirror.
Nevertheless, he remained at the club and has already been handed opportunities by boss Carrick.
It has now emerged United are keen to tie him down for the long haul and are anticipated to trigger the 12-month extension in the 19-year-old’s existing deal.
Harry Amass could leave Manchester United on loan(Image: Getty Images)
It is then expected that he will be loaned out in January to gain vital first-team experience. Amass signed for United in 2023 from Watford’s academy, turning down Chelsea in the process.
He made his maiden senior appearance for the club in April 2025 and last September, joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan. He excelled at Hillsborough until January, when his loan arrangement concluded.
He was subsequently sent to Norwich City for the rest of the season before returning to Old Trafford following a period out injured.
Scott McTominay’s future in doubt
Scott McTominay has shone with Napoli over the past two seasons(Image: Getty Images)
Since departing United in August 2024 for Napoli, Scott McTominay has flourished and become one of the best players in Italy.
He’s claimed the Scudetto and Supercoppa Italiana and has become a supporters’ favourite. Nevertheless, according to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli will need to bridge the gap in contract talks with the Scotsman.
It indicates that discussions regarding an extension have been ongoing for months, but both sides remain divided over valuations and McTominay’s uncertain future remains a hot topic.
“It’s not easy, but we’re trying,” Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna revealed last month. Talks will resume after the 29-year-old returns to action following surgery for a benign cardiac arrhythmia.
As reported by the Italian press, McTominay is said to be demanding a salary of £6.8-£7.7m per annum until 2030, a sum currently beyond the club’s financial reach.
The ex-United midfielder is believed to be keen on prolonging his time in Naples, but only under suitable terms.
Mateta move
Jean-Philippe Mateta helped Crystal Palace to the Conference League in Leipzig(Image: Getty Images)
United will reportedly only consider a move for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta if they can offload £37m flop Joshua Zirkzee.
United are short in attack due to Benjamin Sesko’s persistent shin injury problems and have a long-standing interest in the France international, who bagged 16 goals in 50 games for the Eagles last term.
However, as per Football Insider, a fresh attempt to sign the 29-year-old FA Cup and UEFA Conference League winner may only materialise if the Red Devils can finally find a suitor for Zirkzee.
The 25-year-old Netherlands international has consistently underwhelmed since his move from Bologna to Manchester in the summer of 2024.
Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke said: “Man United have had a long-standing interest in signing Jean-Philippe Mateta.
“A lot will depend on their own situation, because obviously they have got Benjamin Sesko and Joshua Zirkzee as their attacking options at the moment who can lead the line.
“So it doesn’t look like signing a new striker is going to be a priority at the moment, but if one of those players was to leave, it could open the door to a move for Mateta.
“Say Joshua Zirkzee was to leave the club in January, that could force Man United into the market to sign a new striker, and Mateta’s his future at Palace is uncertain right now.”
Palace are said to value Mateta at £40m, but with his contract set to expire in the summer of 2027, he could potentially be prised away from Selhurst Park for a cut-price fee.
