Manchester United could finally have solved the decade long search for a permanent striker with Benjamin Sesko.
Goals were the biggest issue for Manchester United during the 2024/25 season, and so Ineos set out to solve this over the summer transfer window.
In doing so, United have added a new number nine, with ambitions that he can finally offer the consistent 20-goal a season output needed to challenge at the top.
Benjamin Sesko was the forward chosen by Ineos, after missing out on Liam Delap. However, unlike other striker additions in previous years, Sesko is in a position to succeed at United, with Premier League proven quality around him.
Sesko was United’s top striker target following Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo’s signings, but he wasn’t always.
United wanted Delap, although his £30m release clause was likely the biggest factor. While United were also heavily linked with Gyokeres.
Benjamin Sesko goes for a diving header in training at Carrington.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko got one over on Viktor Gyokeres last season
United and Arsenal effectively signed eachothers top striker targets, as the Gunners got Gyokeres.
This sets up the narrative nicely for the season opener as Arsenal are set to face United at Old Trafford, while in the background there is Sesko against Gyokeres.
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Mikel Arteta has warned United about Gyokeres, however, this wasn’t necessary as Ruben Amorim knows the Swede better than anyone.
The side story of the clash will be the two number nines and it won’t be the first time they battle in their careers.
It was January 2025, when RB Leipzig hosted Sporting CP in the Champions League league phase and the Germans walked out 2-1 winners.
Interestingly, Sesko and Gyokeres were both on the scoresheet, which we won’t mind this Sunday if the scoreline leans the same way.
Sesko actually won the player of the match in this game, as he dominated Sporting’s defence on and off the ball. This makes Sesko the clear winner from this meeting of the two strikers who are sure to be intertwined in comparison for their Premier League careers.
Manchester United could find a new hero against Arsenal
While there is the narrative of Sesko vs Gyokeres this weekend, chances are that United’s new number 30 will be on the bench.
Sesko had been put aside by Leipzig prior to his move and has trained with United for just a week which means he won’t be fully embedded into the system
However, if brought off the bench, Sesko has a chance to make himself an instant hero at Old Trafford by scoring against Arsenal in what promises to be closely contested.
For United, Matthijs de Ligt could be key in combating Gyokeres, who will start having played for the Gunners a handful of times already.
Gyokeres hasn’t looked at his best for Arsenal, but everyone knows how clinical he can be, and therefore the defenders can expect a real tough afternoon.