Set for Old Trafford move? How Benjamin Sesko would fit into Man Utd's starting XI this season

Manchester United certainly seem intent on righting the wrongs of last season, if this current transfer window is anything to go by. Despite the club’s hierarchy pleading poverty for much of the last 12 months, the Old Trafford side have already spent €153.2 million on new players, and seem determined to drastically improve on that figure before the window draws to a close. Newcastle United have submitted a €90m offer for Sesko but now Man United have responded with an offer of €75m, plus €10m in add-ons. 

Such reports suggest that the 22-year-old striker will cost at least €80m and it’s not hard to see why both clubs are seriously interested in spending the cash on the young forward. Newcastle, wary that Alexander Isak wants a move to Liverpool, clearly view Sesko as a natural replacement for their No.9. However, while Man Utd could clearly use more goals in their side, it’s not quite clear how the Slovenian international would fit into Amorim’s star-studded team. So where would Sesko play in Man Utd’s starting XI this season? Let’s take a look. 

 

How could Man Utd line up with Benjamin Sesko? 

To no great surprise, Man Utd are clearly looking to sign Sesko because he’s a very talented, young striker. To date, the 22-year-old talent has bagged no less than 39 goals in 87 games for RB Leipzig in all competitions, which comes after scoring 29 goals in 79 games for Red Bull Salzburg. And while the Slovenian international can certainly play off the left wing, the Old Trafford club would be signing Sesko with the intent of playing him up front. And in many ways he should be able to slot straight into Amorim’s side. 

Although Rasmus Højlund has made it clear that he intends to stay at the club and fight for his spot in Amorim’s team, the arrival of Sesko will clearly come at the young Dane’s expense. Højlund has only managed 26 goals in 96 games for Man Utd, so has no real claim to a starting role this season and should be replaced by the new striker, if he is signed. As we can see, if Man Utd play the manager’s preferred 3-4-3 system, Sesko would likely lead a new-look front line, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in support. And that should prove to be a big upgrade on what didn’t quite work last season. 

However, Sesko does also offer more options to Man Utd. While he can play as a lone striker, he has spent much of his time at Leipzig playing alongside another forward in Loïs Openda. And with the demands of the modern game ensuring that top-level clubs must always be aware of the minutes their players take part in each season, Amorim may now have ample players to make changes to his formation with Sesko in his squad. 

Perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of this will be Bruno Fernandes. Last season the Portuguese midfielder played 442 more minutes than any other outfield player in Man Utd’s squad and at times looked as though that extra workload was affecting his game. With the arrival of Cunha and now presumably Sesko too, Amorim could shift his tactics slightly to play a 3-5-2, with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo filling in at centre midfield, while the aforementioned Brazilian takes up the No.10 role. This would likely see Mbuemo be pulled back to a wing-back role, but it would also allow Amorim to provide game time to Højlund to play alongside Sesko up front.