Benjamin Sesko opted to join Manchester United on a five-year deal as he ultimately snubbed Newcastle, but not even one Old Trafford icon believes it may have been the wrong decision
Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United in action during a first team training session at Carrington Training Ground on August 10, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Benjamin Sesko is Manchester United's newest number nine, and pressure already seems to be mounting
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes have been left in disagreement over Benjamin Sesko's decision to join Manchester United, with the latter adamant the club is repeating the same mistake made with Rasmus Hojlund.
The Slovenian international officially signed a five-year deal with the Red Devils after RB Leipzig accepted a bid of £66.4million plus £7.6m in add-ons. With the total package worth £74m, United beat Newcastle to Sesko's signature after the Magpies launched their bid earlier in July.
Despite Newcastle offering the striker a higher wage package than United, Ruben Amorim's project convinced the 22-year-old to snub the north east and the guarantee of Champions League football this season.
However, United legend Scholes is of the opinion that Sesko may have made the wrong decision in choosing his former club, fearing the fans will scrutinise the young striker like they did previously with Hojlund.
During the The Overlap Fan Debate last week, the ex-United midfielder voiced his beliefs that Newcastle would have been a better place for young Sesko to develop. He said: "From the point of Sesko... he'll have more chance at Newcastle to develop which he needs. Now to be a Manchester United centre-forward, as we've found with Hojlund, a 22-year-old kid, you've got to be ready.
"It's got to be now. And Hojlund just isn't quite good enough for that as we've seen. But again, he's not had a chance to be developed – going to Newcastle might have been the best thing for him, for two or three years."
Paul Scholes.
Paul Scholes feels Sesko made the wrong choice for his development
However, the former England international acknowledged the potential future success at Old Trafford, but refused to budge on his thoughts that Sesko should've chosen Eddie Howe's side. He added: "Which club are going to be successful first? Are Man United going to win the league before Newcastle – if they ever do? Of course they are.
"That's why he wants to go there, but I'm saying, from a United point of view, is it the best bit of business? I still think you're in the same boat as having Hojlund."
Despite Scholes' concerns, another ex-United icon feels that Sesko is coming into the club with much more experience behind him than Hojlund did in 2023. Ferdinand discussed the debate on his YouTube channel, Rio Presents, and the former Premier League defender made his feelings clear about how Sesko will be successful in Manchester.
Ferdinand said: "Now we've got someone who's not as experienced but he's more experienced than Rasmus Hojlund. He's played probably almost double the amount of games as Hojlund when he came, he's two years older than what Rasmus Hojlund was when he signed.
"And he's shown that he can score goals. He hasn't gone and blitzed it and scored a ridiculous amount of goals, but he's a kid. He's young. Again, we can't expect that. I don't see him coming in and scoring 25 Premier League goals, or 20 Premier League goals.
"If he comes and scores between 10 and 15, I think that's an unbelievable return."
Rio Ferdinand.
Rio Ferdinand disagrees with his ex-teammate
When asked why he feels Sesko will have a more positive time at United than Hojlund has, Ferdinand added: "Well, I think it's more hope at the moment. I think we've got to wait and see man. I think because you look at it and go, when Hojlund came and when Amorim came during the season, it's a new way of playing, a new style, a new environment.
"The manager was finding his feet and also you have a number nine finding his feet. So under Amorim, that's the way it's been for him [Rasmus]. So hopefully, there's a clearer picture, a clearer identity given the preseason that we've had.
"There's more goals, like I said, and players that understand the Premier League getting more experience up top, in the top end of the pitch. You'd like to think that counts for a lot going into the new season, to help a new number nine coming into the building."
Manchester United v Fiorentina, Pre Season Friendly.
It's a battle of the number nines at Manchester United
While the two United legends may be at an impasse over what they see in the future for Sesko at Old Trafford, one opinion that is the most important is the striker himself – and he definitely backs his pedigree to bring success back to the famous stadium.
Speaking to MUTV, the 22-year-old said: "For me, the team is great. It is getting better and better and that's why also there is just stuff that makes you come there, gives you this energy that you want to be part of. I think it's a great project, in general, and I can't wait to start, definitely.
"I've just been here for a couple of hours and it's already been amazing. I can already feel that we're going to be a great family and it is a pleasure to be part of it.
"It feels good, you know, the thing is it [the badge] fits well and I'm looking forward to just playing in it a lot and try to represent in the good ways possible."
Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United reacts during the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Rasmus Hojlund was adamant he will stay and fight for his place - but that may not be the case anymore
Hojlund, meanwhile, has been adamant that he will be fighting for his place at the club, despite it appearing increasingly likely he will be on his way out of Manchester.
Speaking during the recent pre-season tour in America, the Danish forward said: "I think my plan is very clear and that is for me to stay and fight for my spot, whatever happens. I'm still very young. I think people forget that sometimes. I'm only 22. Obviously, not every striker is scoring 100 goals at the age of 22.
"Competition is fine with me. It sharpens me. I'm more than ready. I'm feeling sharp, so I'm welcoming everything that comes. I think it's good with competition and it only sharpens the team."
In the time since that trip, though, Hojlund seems to have become more open to joining AC Milan. Time will tell if he offers Sesko competition for a place in the team this season.