Manchester United Eyes Sorloth in Late Striker Search

Manchester United’s hunt for a striker has taken a familiar Nordic twist, with Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth emerging as a serious option in the final days of the window.

Intermediaries have offered the Norway international to United, and the club are now considering the 30-year-old as they scramble to reinforce Michael Carrick’s attack before Tuesday’s deadline.

United’s need is clear. Joshua Zirkzee has gone to Fiorentina, leaving Benjamin Sesko as the only established central striker. Those inside the club want a genuine No.9 who can both complement and compete with the Slovenian, not just another squad body. Sorloth fits that brief: big, direct, proven at the top level.

The Atletico frontman is open to a move. A return to the Premier League appeals after his earlier spell with Crystal Palace, and his profile ticks several United boxes – physical presence, aerial power, and enough experience to handle the scrutiny that comes with Old Trafford.

Atletico, for their part, are not closing the door. They are prepared to sanction Sorloth’s exit, but only once they secure a replacement. The Spanish side intend to keep Julian Alvarez yet still want another striker through the door, with Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus and former Lille forward Jonathan David among those under active consideration.

That domino effect is already complicating the market. Juventus are exploring a deal involving David, with Sorloth and Nico Gonzalez potentially included in a wider exchange. Those talks are becoming tangled, and any breakthrough there would have a direct impact on United’s chances of landing the Norwegian.

The plot thickens further. David himself has been offered to United, who are assessing whether the Canada international could be a different type of solution in attack. His movement and penalty-box instincts contrast sharply with Sorloth’s more traditional target-man profile, but the club have not ruled anything out.

This is not a one-horse race inside Carrick’s recruitment meetings. United have held conversations with Crystal Palace about Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr, though both situations are described as complicated and far from straightforward. Younger, development-focused options are also on the table: Freiburg’s Igor Matanovic, Hoffenheim’s Fisnik Asllani and RB Leipzig’s Conrad Harder have all been discussed.

Yet as the clock runs down, experience carries weight. Sorloth’s 175 goals in 475 career matches, his familiarity with English football and his willingness to relocate quickly give him an edge in a frantic market.

There is also the sub-plot that will not go unnoticed in Manchester. Sorloth is a close friend of Erling Haaland, the Manchester City superstar. The prospect of the two Norway internationals sharing a city – if not a dressing room – adds a layer of intrigue to any potential move.

For United, sentiment will not drive the decision. The priority remains clear: find a forward who truly complements Sesko, or don’t sign one at all. With the deadline looming and options narrowing, the question now is whether Sorloth becomes the late-window gamble they decide is worth taking.