Manchester United have been hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent weeks, with pressure mounting on Michael Carrick following a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth. 

But despite uncertainty over his future amid bad results, United’s squad deficiencies have been amplified by news that 23-year-old starting striker Benjamin Sesko has suffered a major setback to the shin injury he first sustained last spring.

With Sesko ruled out until at least January, Joshua Zirkzee struggling for form, and Bryan Mbeumo being forced out of his natural right-wing position to play as a makeshift central forward, United's front office has reopened background checks on a familiar Premier League profile: Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

However, with Leeds United actively negotiating a new long-term deal to tie down their star striker, and the fierce Roses rivalry making any January transfer remote at best, United must cast a wider net.

Behind Sesko in the pecking order sits the struggling Joshua Zirkzee, forcing Carrick to deploy Bryan Mbeumo out of position through the middle and leaving United with a flat front four that produces a league-low 0.08 expected goals (xG) per shot.

With reference to performance data, Striver.Football profiles three viable alternatives the Red Devils must consider in January:

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace) 

If Manchester United prioritise immediate Premier League adaptation to survive the physical rigors of the winter schedule, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta represents the most seamless tactical match.

The Frenchman, who has scored 63 goals in 206 Premier League appearances, shares near-identical SkillCorner run profiles with Sesko, excelling at playing off the shoulder of the last defender and attacking space in behind. 

His anticipatory instincts, recently on display when he intercepted a backpass to score against Besiktas in the Europa League, give United a physical, opportunistic focal point.

With his Palace contract expiring in the summer, Mateta could be available at a cut-price fee in January.

Ivan Toney (Al Ahli) 

For sheer penalty-box authority and lethal finishing instincts, former Brentford frontman Ivan Toney offers a direct solution to Carrick's low-block struggles.

The forward scored 20 goals in his last full Premier League season (2022-23), and then netted 32 goals in 32 Saudi Arabian Premier League games last season.

United currently rank second-lowest in the Premier League for expected goals per shot (0.08) as a strikerless setup forces speculative long-range efforts. 

Toney’s non-penalty shot map is heavily concentrated inside the six-yard box. His ability to take pressure off surrounding attackers, win set-piece duels, and manufacture high-probability chances would immediately fix United's attacking shape.

Esteban Lepaul (Rennes) 

If United are brave enough to look across the continent for a longer-term solution, Rennes forward Esteban Lepaul stands out as Europe’s most underrated goalscorer outside the elite tier.

Lepaul scored 28 goals across Europe’s top five leagues since the start of last season (trailing only Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland).

United have won just five of their 13 league games under Carrick when holding the majority of possession, largely because their in-possession shape collapses into a flat front four without Sesko. 

An old-fashioned No. 9 who loiters up front and thrives in congested penalty boxes, Lepaul provides the central anchor needed to unpick deep-lying defenses.

Final Thoughts

While Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains a logical target on paper, Leeds United's determination to seal a contract extension means Manchester United must act decisively elsewhere.

Securing a natural No. 9 in January is mandatory if Michael Carrick is to salvage United's season.