Jean-Philippe Mateta pictured for first time since horror injury against Millwall as Wayne Rooney touts Crystal Palace striker for move to Premier League giants
- Rooney has urged Arsenal to hijack United’s reported move for the player
- He said the player in question ‘is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals’
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Wayne Rooney has urged a top Premier League club to hijack Manchester United’s reported move for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney said Mateta ‘is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals’.
‘From watching Arsenal over the past few games in the Premier League, they have put a lot of balls into the box without having anyone to get on the end of them.
‘I am sure he would help from that point of view,’ said the former Man United legend.
Mateta, who is valued at £40million, has now become heavily linked with a move elsewhere as a result of his fine form in front of goal.
Wayne Rooney has urged a top club to hijack Manchester United’s reported move for Mateta
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney said Mateta ‘is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals’
The 27-year-old could be nearing a return to action after an image surfaced of him online
It has seen Man United linked with a move for the Frenchman, but Rooney says that Arsenal should make a move for the Eagles frontman.
But the Frenchman has faced a spell on the sidelines after sustaining an injury that required 26 stitches against Millwall in an FA Cup tie between the two sides at the start of the month.
The 27-year-old could be nearing a return to action after an image surfaced of him online in team apparel.
Posting to X, formerly Twitter, an image used by the account @PalaceReport hinted that Mateta may be back in action sooner than initially expected.
