€76.5 million transfer
©IMAGO
Manchester United appears determined to correct last season’s shortcomings, as evidenced by their activity in the current transfer window. Despite the club’s management claiming financial constraints over the past year, they have already invested €229.7 million on new recruits, primarily focusing on forwards. On Saturday morning, the club officially announced the acquisition of striker Benjamin Sesko, successfully outbidding Newcastle to secure the Slovenian for an initial €76.5 million.
A closer look at Sesko’s potential reveals why both clubs were vying for the young striker. Newcastle, mindful of Alexander Isak’s interest in moving to Liverpool, considered Sesko a natural replacement for their No. 9. Meanwhile, while Manchester United could clearly benefit from more goals, it’s still uncertain how the Slovenian international will integrate into coach Amorim’s talented roster. So, how would Sesko fit into United’s starting XI this season? Let’s explore.
How could Manchester United lineup with Benjamin Sesko?
It’s no surprise that Manchester United is keen to sign Sesko given his impressive potential as a young striker. The 22-year-old has scored 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig and previously netted 29 goals in 79 matches for Red Bull Salzburg. While he can operate from the left wing, United’s intention appears to be to deploy Sesko primarily as a forward, making it likely he will slot seamlessly into Amorim’s tactical setup.
Although Rasmus Højlund has expressed his desire to remain at the club and compete for a place in the squad, Sesko’s arrival would likely come at Højlund’s expense. The young Dane has scored only 26 goals in 96 appearances for Manchester United, making his claim to a starting position tenuous. If United adopts Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 formation, Sesko could lead the revamped frontline, supported by Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, representing a significant upgrade over last season’s struggles.
Sesko’s versatility also offers Manchester United additional tactical options. While he is capable of leading the line alone, he has frequently partnered with another forward, like Loïs Openda, during his time at Leipzig. Acknowledging the need for player rotation in modern football, Amorim can take advantage of a deeper squad with Sesko on board.
One of the key beneficiaries of this new addition could be Bruno Fernandes. Last season, Fernandes played 442 more minutes than any other outfield player in the squad, which sometimes seemed to impact his performance. With the arrival of Cunha and the anticipated signing of Sesko, Amorim may adjust his tactics to a 3-5-2 formation, featuring Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the center of midfield, while allowing the Brazilian to operate in the No. 10 role. This could see Mbeumo drop back to a wing-back position, while also enabling Højlund to gain valuable playing time alongside Sesko in the attack.
