Manchester United looks like a good club to be at right now, with smiles surrounding Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon for the final friendly of the summer.
After a successful trip to the USA, Ruben Amorim and his Red Devils were back home on Saturday to usher in the end of pre-season against Fiorentina.
Manchester United started a strong line-up which we expect to be similar to the one named against Arsenal next Sunday. With Fiorentina offering an impressive defensive showing, United only beat the Italians via penalty shoot-out.
However, this isn’t to say that United didn’t create chances, with multiple moments where the final ball was just off or a big save or block denied a goal.
United have several standout performers in the game, with the positives mounting up for Amorim ahead of next week’s clash against Arsenal.
However, one player hasn’t gotten the praise he deserves, due in part to the absence of Benjamin Sesko. The 6ft 5in Slovenian looked huge as he made his inaugural entrance down the famous tunnel and onto the Old Trafford grass.
Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha with Ruben Amorim during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and Fiorentina.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko could be excellent together for Manchester United
Ruben Amorim decided to leave Rasmus Hojlund on the bench for the entire game against Fiorentina, which was a telling sign of his current status within the head coach’s plans.
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Even worse, Amorim stated his need for a striker on the pitch as despite Mason Mount’s immense pressing performance, he couldn’t quite offer the same impact that a number nine would.
However, Amorim now has Sesko to fill his striker need, and the latest Red Devil addition will be salivating over the prospect of playing alongside one of his new teammates, that being Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroonian was only on his second appearance for the club and Amorim suggested he is only at 50% of what he is capable of, but despite that he still had a positive outing.
Mbeumo was in good positions numerous times, where he would be deadly if completely match sharp, but it was his creativity which caught the eye against Fiorentina.
While a few were from corners, Mbeumo created four chances in the game and importantly completed four crosses, which Sesko’s incredible vertical leap would love to be on the end of in the coming months and years.
Five of Sesko’s 13 Bundesliga goals last season were headers and if Mbeumo and also Patrick Dorgu put in good crosses, it could end up being a pretty straightforward method of finding the back of the net.
Benjamin Sesko can become Ruben Amorim’s ideal striker
While Manchester United look better than last season, there is still doubt and frustration around the system, with this coming in a game where no striker started, a problem which is now hopefully fixed.
The midfield is also troubling, as Casemiro struggled, but Kobbie Mainoo was impressive and United are targeting Carlos Baleba.
Regarding the striker problem, United will know Amorim turned Viktor Gyokeres from a Championship player into a world class number nine and Sesko has all the traits to also achieve this.
Jason Wilcox pointed these qualities out following the announcement, painting the picture of Sesko as a player the club are very confident on.
“Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football.
“We have followed Benjamin’s career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United.