Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has suggested that Manchester United should consider signing Jean-Philippe Mateta, the French striker currently playing for Crystal Palace.

Manchester United has faced ongoing challenges in finding a reliable No. 9, having invested a total of £145.7 million in Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko over the past three seasons without significant payoff.

Hojlund was loaned out at the start of this season after managing only four goals in the previous one. His successor, Sesko, scored twice before sustaining a knee injury against Tottenham, sidelining him until mid-December.

Sagna, who played 213 games for Arsenal during his seven years with the club starting in 2007, believes Mateta would be a perfect addition to the team led by Ruben Amorim.

The ex-defender, who also spent three years at Manchester City, told Oddspedia, “Jean-Philippe Mateta moving to Manchester United would make sense. The team lacks a tall striker who can hold the ball and finish crosses effectively.”

Former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has thrown his support behind Manchester United signing Frenchman Jean-Philippe Mateta from their Premier League rivals Crystal Palace

United have endured significant struggles in their search for a suitable No 9, having spent a combined £145.7million on Rasmus Hojlund and Benjamin Sesko across the past three seasons

Sagna, 42, who made 213 appearances for Arsenal during his seven-year spell in north London from 2007, described Mateta’s ability to ‘get on the end of crosses’ as perfect for United

He acknowledged that transitioning from Crystal Palace to a club like Manchester United might be challenging for Mateta, especially amid a flurry of new players. However, Sagna believes the move could benefit both Mateta and United.

Mateta, 28, joined Crystal Palace on loan from Bundesliga side Mainz midway through the 2020-21 season before signing permanently in January 2022. He has been central to their progress under Oliver Glasner, scoring 52 goals in 166 appearances.

The Selhurst Park club triggered a one-year contract extension last December, keeping him in south London until June 2027.

Reports have suggested that contract negotiations have since stalled over salary demands. It is understood he is ambitious to compete at the highest level, a desire that has intensified since he received his first call-up to the France national team in October.

Sagna continued: ‘It will be difficult for Palace to keep hold of him, and it’s the right moment for him to move if he wants the test of playing for one of the biggest teams in the Premier League.

‘He’s not a young player anymore and it might be one of the last moves of his career, so he will probably push for it if the opportunity arises.’

Meanwhile Manchester United failed to capitalise on dropped points across the Premier League weekend with defeat at the hands of Everton consigning them to 10th.

Everton dominated all night long and Amorim, who walked into the press room with his head bowed, admitted he is worried about this side taking too many backward steps.

Mateta has been central to Palace’s progress the last few years, winning the FA Cup last term

United’s struggles in front of goal were compounded by their 1-0 defeat to Everton on Monday

‘I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern,’ he said.

‘We need to work together. We are going to work together. The players are trying but we need to be better. We have training tomorrow and we are going to prepare the next one.

‘The way we see the results of the weekend, we should get inside the pitch with a different excitement. That is my feeling.

‘It doesn’t matter if you are playing well, making good passes, but the feeling, and Old Trafford was there saying we are all here to give you a big step up and I felt that we were not ready.

‘Again, these five weeks everyone is praising our evolution. I’m always saying the same things. We are not even near at the moment where we’re supposed to be in this club.’

Next up is none other than Mateta and co at Selhurst Park on Sunday in the Premier League.