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Manchester United know they're on to a winner after latest unwanted Barcelona transfer story

Barcelona have been linked with another Man Utd player but this time there is no chance of a deal between the two clubs.

Michael Carrick and Benjamin Sesko

Michael Carrick and Benjamin Sesko built a strong relationship last season

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It's been a good 12 months for Manchester United's plans at centre-forward. Rasmus Hojlund did enough at Napoli to make his move to Serie A permanent for £38million, while Benjamin Sesko did more than enough to suggest he is the solution in his first season at Old Trafford.

United went to £73million to sign Sesko from RB Leipzig last summer, forced into action by Newcastle's attempts to sign the Slovenian striker. It is looking like money well spent.

In fact, so solid was Sesko's first season in the Premier League that his name is certainly appearing in reports in Spain suggesting he is on Barcelona's shortlist to replace Robert Lewandowski as the No. 9 at the Nou Camp.

United are bemused by those reports and have no intention to sell Sesko after just one season full of potential and promise. The only switch this summer could be the striker swapping his number at Old Trafford from No. 30 to the No. 9 vacated by Hojlund.

Sesko was signed ahead of Ollie Watkins last summer, and that looks like a shrewd decision now, with his case fought by the club's director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell. Watkins would have been a short-term solution, but Sesko could be the long-term answer, and Barcelona's interest proves United are on to a winner.

The 23-year-old started only six of the 17 Premier League games under Carrick, but crucially, the relationship between the two was strong and Sesko understood the role he was playing and what was wanted of him. He had a stunning impact off the bench and forced his way into the side, and is expected to play a bigger role next season.

Speaking towards the end of the campaign, he said the first year had just been about getting "used to the league", and that he knew he was getting better and better. Part of that is down to the work Carrick and his coaching staff put in with Sesko at Carrington. Carrick spoke very positively about his development and his desire to succeed this season.

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"Ben is making big improvements and a little bit is getting used to what it's like to be here and the feelings and what it means to play and things that we can take for granted at times. He's desperate to do well," the head coach said towards the end of the season.

"He works so hard, he thinks about it an awful lot. He’s an absolute pleasure to work with."

Of that relationship, Carrick added: "Working closely with him and connecting with him, building that relationship and that trust. I think that's important when you're trying to help players individually and certainly as a team.

"Lots on Ben, he's put the work in and he's stayed positive, he knows how he wants to improve, he is pretty clear on that but he's a good player. That's why he's here, he has some great strengths."

Those strengths will continue to be on show at Old Trafford next season, rather than the Nou Camp, and he will expect to improve further on a return of 12 goals in his first year at the club.

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