Manchester United set out to finally sign a first-choice striker worthy of leading the club in the summer, and with Benjamin Sesko it is looking like Ineos struck gold.
Having had a year of both Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund’s failures up front, Ruben Amorim and Ineos set out to add goals in the summer.
This saw numerous different players considered, before Manchester United settled on Benjamin Sesko, with the Slovenian joining in August, presented in front of Old Trafford.
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Sesko cost United £66m, which already looks destined to be considered great value, however, he wasn’t the initial top choice.
United were rejected by Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal, as the Gunners picked the Swede over Sesko, a decision which now looks poorly judged
Benjamin Sesko heads ball for Manchester United against Brighton.
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Benjamin Sesko was the right striker for Manchester United
Despite Sesko being labelled the summers worst signing, the 6ft 5in number nine has scored twice, provided an assist and his all-round game play has left fans and pundits impressed.
Sesko’s link-up play has been sensational, with an excellent first touch allowing United to play off the number 30, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo already becoming benefactors of his talents.
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Against Brighton, despite not scoring, Sesko was brilliant, providing an assist and in general just making United so much better with his hold up, link up and size up front.
Sesko will only get better, and his performances will have United not at all concerned that Gyokeres rejected them for Arsenal, getting a much better striker and deal done instead for Sesko.
The Slovenian suits United perfectly, far better than Gyokeres would have, and he complements his teammates so well, which suggests that beyond the goals he will become a really well rounded striker.
The same cannot be said for Gyokeres.
Arsenal struggling to make Viktor Gyokeres work
After Sesko’s performances over the past few weeks have shown him putting everything together, Arsenal fans will be questioning why they instead signed the older and less rounded Gyokeres.
Gyokeres has five goals this season, however these came in three of his 13 games, and outside of his finishing in these few games, there aren’t many positives to the 27-year-old.
Percentile Gyokeres Stat per 90 Sesko Percentile
60th 0.36 Goals 0.36 60th
37th 2.26 Shots 2.72 66th
3rd 0 Assists 0.18 84th
13th 6.66 Passes 11.43 55th
52nd 0.59 Chances created 1.27 87th
26th 3.8 Duels won 5.81 71st
40th 1.9 Aerial duels won 4.54 84th
N/A N/A Interceptions 0.36 76th
Despite his impressive physical stature and strength, most Premier League defences have coped easily with Gyokeres, ushering him to pretty poor showings.
Most damningly, Gyokeres averages 6.66 passes per 90, which demonstrates how little involvement has has been having on Arsenal’s games this season.
United lost the battle for Gyokeres, but with Sesko the war will be won by the Red Devils as the future seems so much brighter for the Slovenian.