Former England and Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce says Manchester United should have made a move for Jean-Philippe Mateta in the summer.

United made signing a centre-forward a priority before the summer transfer window opened for business on the back of a disappointing campaign for both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who managed a combined total of just seven league goals last season.

The Red Devils would go on to complete a £73million deal for RB Leipzig for the highly rated Benjamin Sesko, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha also joining and Hojlund departing on loan for Napoli on deadline day.

Sesko’s arrival came after weeks of speculation linking United with a host of high-profile No.9s, including Viktor Gyokeres and Liam Delap, who snubbed Old Trafford in favour of Arsenal and Chelsea respectively.

United had also been credited with an interest in Mateta before focusing their attentions on Sesko, but the Frenchman remained at Selhurst Park and has gone on to score four goals in his first ten games of the season.

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