Manchester United are drawing up a four-man striker shortlist for the January transfer window after Benjamin Šeško was ruled out until at least the new year with a recurring shin problem.
The Slovenia forward has not played since the Carabao Cup defeat by Brighton in September and is now expected to miss the remainder of 2026. Rest is currently preferred to surgery, with Šeško not expected to return until at least January.
His absence has exposed United’s limited options at centre-forward and increased the likelihood of the club seeking reinforcements midway through the season.
Manchester United’s striker shortlist
Nicolò Tresoldi, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Igor Matanovic and Dion Beljo are being considered as possible additions, according to reports.
Tresoldi is regarded as the most promising long-term option. The 22-year-old Club Brugge striker is valued at about £42 million and has attracted interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City.
Chelsea have sent scouts to watch Tresoldi, while United have followed his progress after an impressive scoring run in Belgium. Any competition for his signature could push the asking price higher.
Mateta would offer a different profile. The Crystal Palace forward has established Premier League experience and could reportedly be available for around £25 million because of his contract situation.
That may make the 29-year-old a more practical solution for a United side requiring immediate cover rather than another developing project. Šeško remains the club’s long-term No 9 option, but Mateta could provide a quicker route to first-team involvement.
Matanovic and Beljo are also being considered, although both would carry a greater adaptation risk. Tresoldi offers more potential, but would cost substantially more and faces competition from other Premier League clubs.
United’s decision not to sign another striker during the summer has become more significant with Šeško sidelined and the team struggling for consistency. The January priority is now a forward capable of contributing straight away, which could make Mateta the favoured option despite Tresoldi’s greater upside.
