Man United want to sign Benjamin Sesko from German club RB Leipzig before the end of the summer transfer window.
George is a Senior Football Writer for the Manchester Evening News, mostly covering Manchester United. He previously worked for football.london before joining the MEN team in July 2021. As well as covering United, George is a Championship-enthusiast and co-hosts The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24), which you can find on all major podcast platforms.
Benjamin Sesko celebrates after scoring for RB Leipzig.
Manchester United are keen on signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.
(Image: Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images.)
After finishing the 2023/24 Premier League campaign with a negative goal difference, Manchester United should have prioritised attacking signings in last summer's transfer window.
Instead, four of their five new recruits were defensive-minded players, recruiting Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte.
Their only attack-minded addition was Netherlands international Joshua Zirkzee, who arrived from Italian outfit Bologna for £35.7million.
United supporters who conducted research into Zirkzee and his style of play prior to him finalising his move to Old Trafford quickly discovered he was a different type of forward to Rasmus Hojlund, learning he is a player that likes to drop into pockets of space, collect possession and link the play.
Zirkzee, ahead of the start of the season, admitted himself he is not a natural No.9, and that quickly became evident as he settled into life in M16.
"I occasionally drop down to midfield," Zirkzee said. "I don't do that for myself but to help the team.
"I am what I call a false striker. Not a No 9, not a No 10. I am a 9.5. That's my game.
"Maybe I'm a little different than others. But being different is good, right?"
United recruited Zirkzee with the idea of him providing competition and support for Hojlund, who had joined the club from Atalanta 11 months earlier. The Dane had enjoyed a respectable first season in England, scoring 16 goals across all competitions.
Joshua Zirkzee in action for Manchester United.
Joshua Zirkzee scored just seven goals in his debut season at Manchester United.
Optimistic he would build on that tally, it was expected he would remain United's chief goal-getter with support being provided from Zirkzee. However, they scored just 17 goals between them last season, with Hojlund scoring ten and Zirkzee seven.
Hojlund regressed last term and the prospect of him leaving Old Trafford before the end of this summer's transfer window has not been ruled out, despite him making it crystal clear he wants to stay and fight for his place.
"My plan is very clear," Hojlund said after scoring in United's 4-1 win over Bournemouth in Chicago in midweek. "That is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens.
"Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I'm more than ready. I'm feeling sharp so I welcome everything that comes."
Hojlund could soon have competition for a starting berth from RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. United have made him their top striker target with four weeks of the window remaining and are fighting it out with Newcastle United to secure his signature.
Sesko, 22, is a natural No.9, meaning he will be able to provide the direct competition Hojlund was in need of last summer. Zirkzee's performances improved after he transitioned to one of the two No.10 berths in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.
Benjamin Sesko in action for RB Leipzig.
Manchester United hope to sign Benjamin Sesko.
Zirkzee admitted he was not a natural No.9, meaning it was unfair to gauge his performances when deployed at the tip of the attack. He was much more influential as a No.10.
Sesko has scored almost 100 goals in his senior career at club level, meaning he possesses the qualities United need in a striker. He could be exactly what United and Hojlund have been waiting for.