Given the success of previous Manchester United squads, the expectations of the fanbase at Old Trafford continue to be sky-high despite the recent struggles in 2026/27.
Michael Carrick’s men have only secured one win in their last 10 games across all competitions, but their only triumph came in the Champions League against Roma earlier this week.
As a result, their Premier League standing has taken a huge hit, and the Red Devils now sit 17th and remain perilously close to the division’s relegation places.
Many areas of the senior ranks have struggled over recent months, but one department has failed to deliver the most as a result of the absence of one player.
Why United need a striker to replace Benjamin Sesko
Last season, Benjamin Sesko was a player who looked to be a rare impressive addition made by United, as he netted 11 league goals during his debut campaign.
However, the Slovenian international has been unable to replicate such a feat this campaign and has been restricted to 76 minutes of league action due to injury.
The 23-year-old is now set to miss the next couple of months of action due to a fresh setback, which has left Carrick’s men light within attacking areas of the pitch.
Bryan Mbeumo has since been tasked with operating as an unnatural centre-forward, which has no doubt contributed to his tally of just two goals in his last six appearances.
The winger simply doesn’t have the physical attributes needed to lead the line in Carrick’s system, which has played a significant role in their recent failure to secure wins in the Premier League.
There’s no denying Sesko would still be the club’s leading talisman had it not been for his injury, but it’s unclear what level he can perform at upon his return in 2027.
As a result, the club desperately need to invest in another top-level number nine to lead the line and help the club fend off any lingering worries over relegation.
How United can secure a mega Sesko upgrade in January
With the January transfer window now emerging appearing on the horizon, INEOS will no doubt be drawing up possible options to pursue when the market opens.
Carrick’s future may still remain up in the air, but for now, that’s on the back burner as the club attempts to inject needed quality into the attacking department this winter.
A whole host of options will no doubt be touted with a move to Old Trafford, but it’s vital the club make the right signing to provide the goods within the final third.
Ivan Toney is a player who continues to be linked with a return to England, with Football Insider now providing the latest on the potential deal for the Al Ahli talisman.
They claim a loan deal seems more likely than a permanent one this January, with the 30-year-old seemingly one of the main transfer targets ahead of the upcoming window.
Their report also states such a move would be more feasible due to his hefty earnings, with the Englishman reportedly earning around £400k-per-week in Saudi Arabia. That said, TEAMtalk further reveal that the player is open to a move back to the Premier League this summer with United very much fitting the bill.
However, whilst it may cost a pretty penny to bring the centre-forward back to the Premier League, it would see the Red Devils land a greater talent than current striker, Sesko.
When comparing their respective figures in front of goal, it’s clear Toney has dominated and could prove to be the answer to United’s current attacking issues.
The former Brentford man has already netted 12 goals in just nine league outings this campaign, with such a tally the highest of any player in the Saudi Pro League this term.
Last campaign, the Englishman netted 32 goals in the same number of appearances – a tally which Sesko was unable to get anywhere near throughout 2025/26.
Toney’s dominance doesn’t stop there though, as he’s achieved a 61% shot-on-target accuracy rate this term – also the highest of any player in his current division.
Saudi League top scorers (2026/27) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Rank | Player | Club | Goals |
1 | Ivan Toney | Al-Ahli | 12 |
2 | Tijjani Reijnders | Al-Qadsiah | 8 |
3 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al-Nassr | 8 |
4 | Mateo Retegui | Al-Qadsiah | 7 |
5 | Alexandre Lacazette | NEOM | 7 |
6 | Youssef En-Nesyri | Al-Ittihad | 7 |
7 | Julián Quiñones | Al-Qadsiah | 6 |
8 | George Ilenikhena | Al-Ittihad | 6 |
Such numbers demonstrate his remarkable ability within the final third, and it’s safe to say he has the quality Carrick’s side have desperately been lacking of late.
His clinical ability has seen huge praise be directed his way in recent times, with compatriot Declan Rice claiming he’s just “like Harry Kane” due to his clinical finishing.
Such praise is arguably the highest you can receive at present, with the Bayern Munich man claiming the Ballon d’Or award last week and crowning him the best player in the world.
Undoubtedly, Toney’s all-round game is not at the level of his international teammate, but his tremendous ability to find the back of the net could make him a serious asset for United.
His mega earnings could be a major stumbling block in any move, but he’s proven that he would be worth every penny given his remarkable scoring record.
Sesko losing his starting role to Toney would be a harsh decision, but it’s one that needs to be made if the club are to have any chance of pulling clear of trouble this campaign.
Source: www.footballfancast.com
