Manchester United's £74m summer signing Benjamin Sesko is in need of help in attack after the first 11 matches in the Premier League season
Benjamin Sesko has just two goals since joining Manchester United but he has few options to help him in attack
Benjamin Sesko has just two goals since joining Manchester United but he has few options to help him in attack
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We are nearly a third of the way through the Premier League campaign and as we enter the final international break of 2025, thoughts at Manchester United are starting to turn to business which could be done in the January transfer window.
After the draw at Tottenham, Ruben Amorim alluded in his press conference that United may delve into the market this winter should Benjamin Sesko's injury prove to be serious. It is understood the injury is not too severe albeit the exact timescale of his absence is unknown.
If the Slovenian is back for the festive period, the demand to jump into January and sign a striker is less. However, he remains the only first-team, natural centre-forward at Old Trafford that Amorim is willing to use.
Should Joshua Zirkzee be sold, which is a possibility in January as United brace themselves for a request, the Reds could bank up to £21m based on Transfermarkt's valuation, which could boost their budget to sign a striker and help ease the burden on Sesko. With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at four players who they could target to do just that.
Igor Thiago
Last week, Jason Wilcox spoke about the club's summer transfer business. In the interview on MUTV, the director of football spoke about the need to sign players who could 'plug and play' in the Premier League.
Thiago at Brentford has proven he can do just that in his short time with the Bees. Only Erling Haaland has scored more goals than the Brazilian in the top flight this season.
The 24-year-old is also playing for a side who have struggled at times this campaign, making his record even more impressive. However, he did only sign from Club Brugge in the summer and Brentford can therefore name their price.
United already know that the Bees are tough negotiators, as proven with Bryan Mbeumo.
Igor Thiago scores a penalty
Igor Thiago scores from the penalty spot for Brentford against Liverpool
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Dusan Vlahovic
Vlahovic's time at Juventus could be coming to an end very soon. The Serbian is out of contract in 2026 meaning United could move for him on a free in January.
Juventus find themselves in a difficult position and if they feel they cannot convince the 25-year-old to sign fresh terms, they will look to sell him in January rather than lose him for nothing. This puts United on the front foot in negotiations but they are not believed to be alone in their pursuit of Vlahovic.
PSG, Tottenham and Bayern Munich are all being linked with the forward, who has scored six goals in 15 appearances.
Ivan Toney
Rumour has it that Toney is looking to move back to the Premier League in January from Al Ahli. While the riches of the Saudi Pro League are a huge incentive for players, they come at a cost.
Despite 11 goals in 15 appearances this season, Toney is unlikely to get a World Cup call-up without replicating that form in Europe. Thomas Tuchel has only called up one recognised striker for the November international break although Marcus Rashford can fill in, if required.
So Toney returning to the Premier League would not only revitalise his hopes of going to the World Cup, but would provide his next club with a player on a mission. Before moving to Al Ahli, the 29-year-old was linked with a move to the Reds.
Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli
Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli will be hoping to boost his chances of a call-up to the World Cup
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His last full season in the Premier League saw him score 20 goals in 33 appearances so he clearly can score in the top flight. He would be a less risky signing than the two men above, but his price tag will be a deciding factor.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta scored 14 goals in the Premier League last season for Crystal Palace and is the target man a lot of clubs would love to have - including United.
His six in 11 matches this term shows that Mateta is no flash in the pan either. At 28, he is a more experienced head too which would help Sesko.
The trouble with Mateta is the price which Oliver Glasner would demand for a player of his quality. He already knows he is losing Marc Guehi on a free in the summer so United may be priced out in January.
But, if they can sign him, what an addition he would be to United's attack.