Manchester United considered a number of strikers during the summer transfer window before spending £74m to sign Benjamin Sesko.
The likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dusan Vlahovic were linked with moves to Old Trafford, before the Red Devils opted to spend heavily on the Slovenia international just when it seemed as if Newcastle would get him.
Benjamin Sesko is yet to score in four appearances for Manchester United, although the aforementioned Juventus No.9 has started the campaign on fire.
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Dusan Vlahovic impressing after Manchester United snub
Fabrizio Romano claimed that Manchester United were offered the chance to sign Vlahovic back in July, as Juventus desperately tried to find a buyer for the Serbian international.
The 25-year-old sees his contract with Juventus expire in June 2026.
TBR Football understand Juventus were willing to sell Vlahovic for just £20m – a huge loss on the £66.6m they spent to sign him from Fiorentina back in January 2022.
However, after failing to sign Randal Kolo Muani from PSG, Juventus ended up keeping the Serbian, and he has enjoyed an excellent start to the Serie A season.
Vlahovic can already boast two goals in two games despite receiving just 38 minutes of playing time.
The man born in Belgrade helped seal a 2-0 win against Parma in the opening game, adding a second after coming off the bench in the 80th minute after Jonathan David had opened the scoring.
Vlahovic then won Juventus all three points by himself in the second Serie A outing of the campaign, scoring the winner away to Genoa in just 28 minutes of action.
Damien Comolli – Director of Football at Juventus – has been pleased by the striker’s turnaround, telling reporters: “We finished the transfer window feeling stronger. Then Bremer and Cabal returned, Dusan remained, and he proved his worth in the last few matches. We believe the team can be competitive.”
This is not to say that Manchester United shouldn’t have signed Sesko, but a cheap deal for a more experienced option such as Vlahovic wouldn’t have been a bad idea while the Slovenian settled in.
Ruben Amorim may now have to unleash Benjamin Sesko from the start
In fairness to Sesko, the 22-year-old is yet to actually start a game for Manchester United, and it can often be hard to get involved when coming off the bench.
However, Matheus Cunha may have to sit out of the Manchester derby on Sunday after suffering an injury in the 3-2 win over Burnley last time out, despite the Brazilian’s desire to feature.
Amorim told reporters: “I don’t want to say. If you talk to Cunha outside, he will say he can play this game. They (the medical staff) are pushing really hard.”
Therefore, Sesko might be needed from the first whistle on Sunday, and what better way to announce yourself as a Manchester United player by downing Manchester City.