Malen returns to England as Europe's leading scorer

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 07:15 · Archive

Donyell Malen, now Roma's prolific forward, faces Manchester United on Tuesday as Europe's top scorer in 2026.

Donyell Malen has emerged as Europe's most prolific striker in 2026 and now faces Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Dutch forward, on loan at Roma, has become the top goalscorer across Europe's major leagues, a position previously held by established stars such as Harry Kane and Erling Haaland.

Malen began his season spectacularly with a hat-trick against Fiorentina and has scored eight goals in eight Serie A games this season, despite serving a suspension for a red card. Sky Sports reports he scored 18 goals from open play in the major leagues in 2026, two more than nearest rival Lamine Yamal. The Daily Mail reports his total for the year as 22 goals, more than Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane. He has also demonstrated his quality in European competition, scoring twice against Real Madrid in the Champions League last month.

Malen's transformation stands in stark contrast to his time at Aston Villa, where he arrived from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025 but never established himself, scoring just seven goals in 46 games and spending most of his minutes on the wing. Villa sold him for £25 million, a decision Malen described as his own choice. At Roma, deployed as a centre-forward rather than a winger, he has flourished into a different player entirely, with the club unbeaten in Serie A this season.

How it is being reported

• How Aston Villa misfit Donyell Malen became Europe's hottest striker... as Roma star looks to pile on the misery for Michael Carrick and Man United in Champions League clashAnd as Michael Carrick fights to save his job, they must now find a way to deal with the most potent forward in Europe's top five leagues.Daily Mail Sport · 3 Nov, 07:00
• Man Utd beware! Malen is a man transformed at RomaThe top scorer in Europe’s major leagues in 2026 is not Harry Kane or Kylian Mbappe, not Erling Haaland or Lamine Yamal. That honour belongs to Donyell Malen. A revelation at Roma, he makes his return to England against Manchester United on Tuesday night.Sky Sports · 2 Nov, 17:00

In this story: Donyell Malen · Manchester United · Roma · Aston Villa · Old Trafford

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