Manchester United transfer news: Manchester United had identified Alexander Sørloth as a late replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, according to Sporten, with the Norwegian waiting for clubs to reach an agreement before the window closed. Some United board members reportedly wanted to complete the deal even if Zirkzee leaves later, challenging earlier claims that the Dutchman must depart first. The Dutchman managed to stay at the club.
Manchester United transfer news: Late bid for 30-year-old striker Alexander Sørloth
Sørloth wanted the move, while Atletico Madrid could have sanctioned his exit after keeping Julian Alvarez and arranging a season-long loan for Jonathan David from Juventus. Sporten’s report, via Transfer Feed, placed United under pressure to settle the issue quickly.
TEAMtalk previously reported that intermediaries offered the 30-year-old to United, while Football Whispers later called the move unlikely, leaving the picture unsettled.
The tactical case
Sørloth scored 13 La Liga goals without an assist in 35 appearances, then added six goals and one assist in 14 Champions League matches, plus five goals in Norway’s World Cup qualifiers. At 6ft 5in, he offers Carrick a target-man option, ranking in the 92nd percentile for aerial duels won.
That matters against low blocks, like the one United struggled against before their 5-2 comeback against Ipswich. Intermediaries reportedly quoted around £30m, modest for a striker who delivered 19 goals across La Liga and Europe.
The concern grew after a roughly £150m midfield spend on Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, while United faced Zirkzee’s exit and could have left Benjamin Sesko carrying the forward burden alone. Matanovic and injured Mateta entered discussions, yet neither arrived.
United’s Champions League return makes the shortage sharper because Carrick faces a dual-front campaign. Sørloth’s old Crystal Palace record included no Premier League goals, but judging his current level from 2017-19 ignores his development at Atletico. He gives the squad a physical alternative when Sesko needs support.
Read: United refuse to spend £13.7m on a 19-year-old Spain U19 champion on deadline day
Sørloth’s Crystal Palace spell dates back to 2017-19; his Atletico output now stands at 33 goals across two seasons. He even partnered Erling Haaland for Norway at the 2026 World Cup. After Carrick lifted United from seventh into Champions League qualification, failing to provide another proven forward looks like a recruitment failure. However, with Zirkzee’s stay, things changed!
