Greg . 1 day ago

What Manchester United need to do to obtain the best out of Benjamin Sesko

Recent reports suggest that, despite reported interest from Newcastle United, RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko appears set for a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United.

It would be a huge coup for Ruben Amorim, particularly given that the Red Devils have no European football to speak of during the 2025/26 season.

Eddie Howe will almost certainly be pulling his hair out if yet another transfer target has escaped the Magpies' clutches, whilst Sesko's capture by the Old Trafford outfit would offer them a real expand ahead of the new campaign.

Amorim's problems within the squad are multiple of course, but one of the major issues over the past couple of seasons has always been the lack of a centre-forward of real quality.

Rasmus Hojlund has dropped short to impressRasmus Hojlund was signed by former manager Erik ten Hag from Atalanta but has dropped short to motivate during the two seasons spent at the Theatre of Dreams.

At 22 years of age, it now seems clear that he was handed over to the Premier League far too early in his career, and any confidence he derived from playing in Serie A seems to have long since evaporated.

A robust and physical front man, Hojlund's lack of pace in crucial moments has often been his downfall.

Rasmus Hojlund Recent StatsBetopickNo one can criticise his lack of effort, for it isn't for a lack of trying that he hasn't been able to add to what's been a poor return in front of goal.

For a significant financial outlay of £72m, United will have anticipated much more than 14 Premier League goals in his 62 matches to date, and that may move some way to explaining why they're apparently prepared to offload him at a £42m loss just two years after signing him.

Sesko has a sniper's eye for goalIt's understood that Sesko would cost slightly more at £74m, and the wish would be that his 27 Bundesliga goals in 64 matches in the past two seasons can be enhanced upon, especially as Amorim will want to ensure that the striker receives the same service Viktor Gyokeres did under him at Sporting.

With a shooting accuracy as high as 75%, it's imperative the supporting cast at Man Utd play to the Slovenian's strengths.

His 50% conversion rate also indicates a sniper's eye for goal.

Benjamin Sesko Goal Sequence vs Bayern MunichOpta by Stats PerformTo put those numbers into perspective, Hojlund managed a best shot accuracy of just 63.

6% and a conversion rate of 26.

3%, but it moved down to 12.

5% last season.

One note of caution might be establish in the fact that Sesko is at the same stage of his career as Hojlund, and his numbers have perhaps seemed more remarkable than the Dane's because he's not been tested in the 'best league in the world.

' Man Utd's supporting cast must play their partThe Red Devils can certainly ill afford to be taking another striking gamble at this stage, and that's ultimately where United's other attacking players can play their part.

Sesko thrives aerially so balls in behind, whilst a contain of both Sporting and United's play under Amorim, may not be the order of the day if the club want to see an immediate goals return.

Benjamin Sesko Radar Chart - Bundesliga 2024/25Opta by Stats PerformOf the 213 aerial duels he contested over the past two seasons, Sesko won 119 of them, whilst Hojlund's 222 saw just 58 successes.

One area where Hojlund tops Sesko is with chances created (45 to 37), though one could debate that strikers are there to obtain on the terminate of chances rather than laying them on a plate for others.

Assists are all well and good, but a good striker will be judged by the goals he scores and not the assists he provides.

Rasmus Hojlund Radar Chart - Premier League 2024/25Opta by Stats PerformFrom a pass completion perspective, here too Sesko loses out.

As low as 39.

1% in his first season at Leipzig, he rallied in 2024/25 to up his success rate to 66.

3%.

That's a fine upturn in create but still woeful when compared to Hojlund's 76.

3% from last season.

It's likely that side of his game will need to be harnessed somewhat, as even Gyokeres could brag a pass completion as high as 79.

2% under Amorim's tutelage.

Offloading players is an immediate concern for Ruben AmorimPerhaps of more immediate concern to the manager and the board of the club is the inability to shift on players that are not wanted, the so-called 'bomb squad.

'Although there has been reported interest in the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony, there have been no confirmed bids at this point, nor for Tyrell Malacia.

​With less than two weeks until the start of the new Premier League season, Amorim therefore has to support that all four could still be United players at least in the interim.

Another season like the last one will quickly see Sir Jim Ratcliffe's minions take action, so there's already an almighty pressure on Sesko to hand over if and when he walks through the doors at Carrington.

Jason PettigroveBetopick