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Manchester United’s latest search for a new striker could be over before it has begun. With the news that Benjamin Sesko is likely to be out of action until the New Year, owners INEOS have been casting their net wide in the hopes of landing a replacement who could also provide competition for minutes when the Slovenian international returns. Leeds and England star Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of those to be heavily linked after his impressive form under Daniel Farke brought him back into the international picture. However, the 29-year-old now looks poised to sign a new contract at Elland Road.
On Thursday, The Athletic reported that Calvert-Lewin had been on United’s radar for some time. However, transfer chiefs had yet to determine whether a January move for their rivals’ star man would be feasible.
Transfers between United and Leeds have been few and far between in recent years and have often proved controversial, with Alan Smith receiving a fan backlash following his 2004 switch.
Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow did move between the two teams after his Leeds contract expired, but an under-contract player would be a different matter.
Things looked to become that bit tougher on Friday, with BBC Sport claiming an announcement over a new contract is imminent. Calvert-Lewin’s current deal, signed in 2025, runs until the end of the 2027/28 season.
The striker’s new deal would be a reward for a significant resurgence since joining the Whites on a free transfer. He has scored 20 goals in just 49 matches for Leeds - more than he managed in 100 outings across his last four full seasons with Everton.
He has also firmly played his way into the plans of Thomas Tuchel. A 34-minute runout against Uruguay in March ended an international exile of nearly five years and he also got minutes against Spain and Czechia in the most recent run of Nations League fixtures.
Carrick confirmed the Sesko news in his press conference ahead of United’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday. “Yeah, unfortunately, Ben looks like he's going to be out for a period of time,” he said.
“We're still not clear of exactly how long, but it’s going to be for a longer period of time. It was the process and, as I said to you before, we had to go through the process.
"There's a bit of a healing process for the injury to see how it would react and what direction to go with that.
“So, even now, we're still working through it, but yeah, unfortunately, obviously, first and foremost, for Ben, for the kind of period that he's had and tried to get through it and going through this again, and for us to not have him available, is obviously a blow, but we try and get back and get him back as quickly as we can.”
With Sesko unavailable, Carrick has used Bryan Mbeumo as a No.9 in recent weeks. Joshua Zirkzee is another option in the role, though the Dutch forward has yet to start a match this season.
Express Sport has explored some of the other options United might look to pursue in January. Among them is Jean-Philippe Mateta, who came close to a Crystal Palace exit last year and is out of contract at Selhurst Park in June.
United were reportedly offered the French international over the summer but ended up prioritising investment in their midfield.
Injuries have limited Mateta’s involvement this term but he scored his first goal of the season against Beskitas in the Europa League on October 22.
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