This summer, Manchester United embarked on a quest for new forwards, successfully acquiring Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, marking a significant addition to their squad.
The 22-year-old Slovenian international joined United on a contract valued at up to €85 million, committing to a five-year term that runs until 2030.
He was officially introduced at Old Trafford prior to a friendly match against Fiorentina, where he received a warm reception as he took to the pitch alongside teammates Mateus Cuña, Brian Mbemo, and Diego Leon.
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“He possesses the qualities we were looking for,” stated United’s head coach Reuben Amorim in an interview with MUTV before kickoff. “He’s youthful, strong in aerial duels, adept at exploiting spaces, and skilled with the ball, suggesting significant potential for growth. I genuinely believe he will feel at home with us and fits perfectly within our squad dynamic.”
How Manchester United Secured the Signing of Sesko
United was open about the fact that Sesko was not their initial target. The need for a new striker quickly became apparent to Amorim and his team, with Liam Delap being prioritized initially.
With a £30 million release clause, Delap was seen as an appealing option, and United made positive strides in discussions with his representatives. Ipswich Town was also informed that the clause would be exercised if the 22-year-old opted for Old Trafford, but ultimately, he signed with Chelsea.
After rejecting Hugo Ekitike (who joined Liverpool) and Viktor Gyökeres (who went to Arsenal), United shifted their focus to Sesko and Ollie Watkins.
Watkins, with Premier League experience like Cunha and Mbeumo, presented an option, but Sesko’s youth and potential were key attractions.
Once Sesko was prioritized, United went head-to-head with Newcastle United for his signature.
Newcastle initially aimed to finalize a deal with RB Leipzig, using pressure from the German side to draw Sesko towards St. James’ Park.
Meanwhile, United took a different route, emphasizing Amorim’s project and reaching an agreement on personal terms. When Leipzig learned of Sesko’s preference for United, negotiations between the clubs progressed rapidly. Newcastle was positioned to outbid United, but Sesko’s decision had already been made.
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Manchester United presents Benjamin Sesko at Old Trafford.
Manchester United introduces Benjamin Sesko before a friendly match against Fiorentina.
“He wanted Manchester United,” a source close to Sesko told ESPN. “He has been in talks with United since his time at RB Salzburg. The timing was right.”
Most of the transfer details were finalized in a single day, which is uncommon. There were no last-minute financial demands that often accompany such signings, and the negotiations concluded swiftly. United’s staff were further impressed by Sesko’s visit to Carrington, which lacked any complications—only himself and an agent finalizing details.
This transfer has been a long time coming. Sesko first came onto United’s radar when academy scouts identified him as a teenager. Club officials met with his representatives prior to his move from Salzburg to Leipzig in 2023, but it seemed he was already inclined to remain within the Red Bull network.
United felt they had engaged with nearly every top club around the same timeframe as various significant transfer windows opened.
RB Leipzig managed to offer more lucrative terms, knowing his stay would be brief. Sesko’s strategy paid off, landing him in the Premier League two years later after his stint in Germany.
Much of United’s interest stemmed from his long-established promise as a player, evident back in his teenage years.
He is recognized as a top prospect possessing impressive physical capabilities. Standing over 6 feet 3 inches tall, his athleticism, speed, and versatility make him a strong contender in English football, which Amorim hopes to capitalize on to turn his potential into value over the coming years. – Rob Dawson
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Shaka Hislop and Craig Burley discuss whether Manchester United’s promising preseason may influence their upcoming Premier League season.
Scouting Report: Sesko’s Strengths
Sesko has become one of Europe’s most well-rounded forwards, having been on the radar of elite clubs since he was 16. His stature at over 6 feet 3 inches, combined with strong athleticism, allows him to present a formidable presence, showcasing a blend of physicality, skill, and speed. He embodies a traditional No. 9 or target man, but at 22, he still has room to grow.
His height and jumping prowess make him a prime target for crosses, but he offers much more than mere aerial ability. Sesko employs his strength and long strides to break through defensive lines, effectively exploiting blind spots and thriving when central to goal. His ability to withstand challenges, earn free kicks, and buy precious time for teammates is invaluable. While he’s shown progress in link-up play, emerging as a target man, he possesses additional strings to his bow.
With excellent first touch skills, he adeptly executes flicks, lay-offs, and short combinations under pressure, aiding in establishing offensive possession in advanced areas. Though not a traditional sprinter, his top speed—clocked at an impressive 34.9 km/h last season—enables him to trouble the highest defensive lines during transitions.
Notably, Sesko has scored double digits in goals for three consecutive seasons and, with 14 and 13 league goals in the last two seasons (in competitive leagues where top scorers often exceed 30), his performance reflects steady improvement in productivity and confidence. Although still not among the most prolific forwards in Europe, he demonstrates remarkable precision and power in his finishing, especially with his favored right foot. He can challenge goalkeepers from various angles and distances, although most of his goals usually come from within 8-12 meters, often slightly off-center.
He’s also a rapid responder in front of the goal and executes shots efficiently without needing extra touches. This decisiveness is an asset when navigating tight spaces, particularly around the penalty area, and he excels at reacting to rebounds and loose balls—a quality that many current United forwards seem to lack. -Tor-Kristian Karlsen
Areas for Improvement for Sesko
As with many young strikers, there are areas for Sesko to enhance. One critical aspect is his decision-making in the final third. Although his dribbling skills are above average for a center forward, Sesko sometimes struggles to decide whether to take on defenders, shoot, or pass to a teammate.
His shooting volume could also increase; last season, he averaged a modest 2.24 attempts per 90 minutes, particularly when considering the quality of his striking capabilities, a figure that should be closer to 3.0 or higher for players who excel on the ball.
In terms of physical duels, Sesko’s success rate is also relatively low for a player of his size, achieving only 33% last season. This may stem from his personal playing style; instead of functioning as a traditional “bruiser” No. 9, he tends to operate as a more technical striker. However, in the Premier League, where physical confrontations are common, it’s essential for him to be more assertive in these situations to thrive.
There are also questions regarding his rhythm. His overall statistics are reliable, but he tends to score in bursts, experiencing lengthy periods without goals. For example, in the last season, he faced two six-game droughts. This pattern indicates that he is still mastering how to maintain his form and confidence throughout the season. – Carlsen
Sesko’s Role at Manchester United and Its Implications for Amorim
Dawson’s view: Sesko is poised to become the central forward in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, expected to provide support and link play. While his physical skills suggest he can manage this role, the Premier League presents a different challenge than the Bundesliga.
One intriguing aspect of Sesko’s signing is the ripple effect on other team dynamics. With over £130 million spent on Cunha and Mbeumo, they could assume the roles of potential No. 10s. This adjustment may require Bruno Fernande to play deeper in midfield. Last season, he frequently occupied this role, but Amorim hints that the Portuguese midfielder prefers to operate further forward.
Fernandes needs to be included prominently, and if Amorim’s system accommodates Cunha, Mbeumo, and Sesko, one of the other midfield options—Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte, or Kobbie Mainoo—must fulfill a more defensively focused role. Each of these players offers unique characteristics but lacks mobility, prompting issues last season where teams capitalized on gaps between the backline and midfield.
With Sesko’s inclusion, United’s expenditure has exceeded £200 million, and they may still seek further acquisitions before the transfer window closes.
They need to finalize the futures of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Tyrrell Malacia, and potentially Rasmus Højlund. If the deals for Garnacho and Højlund materialize, they could inflate their transfer budget by nearly £100 million. This might position United to pursue a player like Carlos Valleva from Brighton & Hove Albion or another box-to-box midfielder.
This strategy would offer Amorim a more balanced team ahead of the new season. For now, he can feel satisfied that he has strengthened the offensive line struggling in the previous season with Sesko’s arrival.
Carlsen’s view: Sesko seems to fit well within Amorim’s vision for the team, serving as a genuine reference point at No. 9 and addressing a need from last season.
While scouting reports ranked Højlund as a stylistic counterpart, Sesko, formerly of RB Leipzig, offers greater efficiency and a sharper focus for the central attack. United’s attacking proficiency has been under scrutiny, and Sesko’s skills in reading the game and capitalizing on second balls directly address those concerns. He also needs to synergize effectively with midfield runners and attacking fullbacks.
His capacity to facilitate plays through simple combinations, especially from a positional standpoint, makes him both a playmaker and a finisher. Though still developing, Sesko possesses the attributes necessary to thrive as a lead striker amid Premier League giants. As Amorim hones his decision-making and physical control, United may have finally discovered their long-term central striker.
Fan Take: The signing of Benjamin Sesko is significant for Manchester United, signaling a strong commitment to rebuilding a competitive squad. Fans should be excited about his potential impact, as he may reshape their attacking dynamics and contribute to a resurgence in performance on the pitch.
