Manchester United are relying heavily on data to pursue their transfer targets this summer, which is reportedly why they chose to move Benjamin Sesco over Victor Gokeres.
Both strikers were thought to be likely to move on this summer after impressing with RB Leipzig and Sporting Lisbon respectively.
After a long saga, Sesco went to Manchester United and Joekeles joined Arsenal, with the latter potentially linking up with former Sporting manager Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Still, the Times says it was the data-driven approach that brought the Red Devils closer to Sesco, as he was seen to be a better tactical fit for Amorim’s team.
Was Manchester United right to sign Benjamin Sesco instead of Victor Gokeres?
United will feel they have acquired a young player with room to develop over time, but it hasn’t been the most convincing start for him in Manchester.
Gökeres hasn’t been as prolific at Arsenal as he was with Sporting, but overall it looks like the Sweden international have probably acquired the better player, at least from what we’ve seen so far.
See below for a comparison of the two players’ stats this season.
| player | game | the goal | assist |
| Victor Gokeres | 14 | 6 | 0 |
| Benjamin Sesco | 12 | 2 | 1 |
On the other hand, you can also see the graphic below that details more than just pure goals and assists statistics, painting a slightly more complicated picture…
Ultimately, we’ll have to wait a little longer to find out which of these deals is the best.
United did not necessarily sign Sesco immediately, so we hope to see some improvement soon, but it will probably take a lot of patience.
Still, if Sesco doesn’t add two more goals soon, there will be concerns that he could have signed another Rasmus Højlund or Joshua Zirkzee.
