Prior reports indicated that Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada was keen to implement a new policy regarding signings, giving players two years to make an impact or risk being sold.

Manuel Ugarte would surely have been moved on this summer had injury not struck, while Joshua Zirkzee, another to have been signed in 2024, does appear to be heading for an imminent return to Serie A.

From his match-winning debut against Fulham, the Dutchman has since scored just four more Premier League goals, a pitiful return considering the £36.5m investment.

With United potentially in need of an upgrade or replacement, as Zirkzee departs for Fiorentina, one man who has been on the agenda is wantaway Crystal Palace striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Why Man Utd are unlikely to sign Mateta before the deadline

Rio Ferdinand notably tipped Robert Lewandowski for a move to Manchester earlier in the summer, with there still a feeling that Michael Carrick's squad could do with an experienced number nine to rival Benjamin Sesko.

The 29-year-old Mateta, who's spent the past five-and-a-half years in England, fits the bill in that regard, the Frenchman having hit 42 league goals across the last three seasons alone.

A move to AC Milan failed to pan out in January, while the 6 foot 4 powerhouse has even attempted to rip up his contract at Selhurst Park a year early, in order to seal a move to Serie A.

The failure to prove his 12-month extension invalid had ensured a Premier League switch appeared more likely, due to the cost involved, with Aston Villa lodging an initial offer, while United have seemingly lurked in the background.

There's certainly merit in pursuing a move, particularly considering the reported £40m asking price, although Mateta's injury woes could well put paid to his hopes of an exit.

Indeed, he is now expected to face at least four weeks out with a hamstring issue, having previously seen his Milan switch collapse due to issues regarding a medical.

INEOS will be wary of forking out for a player who won't be able to make an immediate impact, with there certainly other options on the table too, by all accounts.

How Man Utd could sign an upgrade on Mateta

For three summers in succession, United have splashed the cash on a young, up-and-coming striker. To say the results have been mixed is an understatement.

Zirkzee looks to be heading back to Italy after two dismal seasons at Old Trafford, with former Atalanta man Rasmus Hojlund suffering a similar fate last summer, following his move to Napoli.

Sesko, fresh from scoring 11 league goals last term, will be hoping to buck the trend, although an injury-hit summer has already put him on the back foot heading into the new campaign.

Someone of a little more experienced would do nicely, with TEAMtalk reporting that Juventus' Jonathan David is a potential target, with the Canadian believed to be up for grabs.

The 26-year-old is said to have been 'offered' to United in negotiations, as he seeks an escape from Turin, having only joined the Serie A giants from Lille last summer.

It's not been a fruitful 12 months or so, yet David showed again why he's previously been hailed as "one of the best strikers in the world" by Canadian football expert Tony Marinaro, following a fruitful World Cup.

Indeed, the £34m-rated marksman scored three in five outings for his country this summer, with his overall record at international level standing at 42 in 82 games so far.

It hasn't happened at Juve, but this is a man who knows where the back of the net is, having previously been so prolific over an extended period at Lille.

Across his five seasons in France, David scored 13 goals or more in each of those Ligue 1 campaigns, notably netting 24 in 2022/23, prior to scoring 19 in 2023/24 and 16 in 2024/25.

For comparison, in Mateta's last three years at Palace, where he's really found his groove, he's still not gone beyond 16 league goals, perhaps showcasing that the Frenchman does have a ceiling.

In his final year at Lille, David was scoring at a rate of one goal every 160 minutes, having missed 16 'big chances' and enjoyed a goal conversion rate of 22%.

That same season, meanwhile, Mateta scored just once every 190 minutes, missing 19 'big chances' and recorded a goal conversion rate of only 20%.

Mateta's overall record of 62 goals in 203 games isn't exactly the most inspiring either, while he previously only scored 27 in 71 for former club Mainz in Germany.

As for David, while he's scored just eight in 46 in Italy, he previously scored 139 in 232 in France, after also netting 37 in 83 for Belgian side Gent.

In terms of what he offers out of possession too, the Canadian has recorded 51 club career assists at senior level, while Mateta's total stands at just 22 in that regard.

That again speaks to why David could well be a level above, and while he hasn't enjoyed a taste of English football as yet, now could be the time for INEOS to pounce.