Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen has cast fresh doubt over the long-term suitability of Benjamin Šeško as the club’s leading forward, urging the Red Devils to pursue an upgrade “in the next year or two.”
The Slovenian striker, who arrived at Manchester United in a deal worth around £74 million last summer, has endured a mixed debut campaign in the Premier League. After a difficult start, Šeško has shown signs of improvement in recent months, scoring regularly and benefiting from a resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick.
However, Owen remains unconvinced that the striker can lead United back to the top of English football. Speaking recently, the former England international insisted that while Šeško has become “an asset to the team,” he is “not the answer long-term” and not the striker United should rely on in their biggest matches
‘To me, he’s not the answer long-term,’ Owen told casino.org. ‘He’s not the Manchester United centre-forward forever and ever.
‘He’s an expensive player who can get better and be a nice part of their squad, but equally, if United are playing in their biggest game of the season tomorrow, I don’t think he starts.
‘If Manchester United are wanting to get back to where they feel they belong and challenge for the title, I don’t think he’s the centre-forward that you go into the season with all your hopes pinned on.
‘Yes, he’s doing better. It’s great to see because it’s not nice to see anybody struggling. That being said, I think there’s an upgrade in there somewhere along the line in the next year or two or whenever somebody comes available.
‘It’s great now that he can be an influence on the team and the squad and score important goals. But I’m not saying, “oh yeah, everything’s great now and he’s now going to shoot them to the league title”.
‘He’s improved them, he’s confident again and he’s an asset to the team all of a sudden, but there’s still a long way to go.’
Is Owen right—and who could replace Šeško?
Owen’s criticism is blunt but not entirely unfounded. Šeško remains a developing striker with clear physical attributes—pace, aerial ability, and finishing—but he is still inconsistent at the highest level. For a club with Manchester United’s ambitions, relying on potential rather than proven output is always a risk.
That said, writing him off entirely may be premature. Šeško is far from the finished product, and many elite forwards—such as Harry Kane or Didier Drogba—took time to reach their peak years.
If Manchester United were to act on Owen’s advice, several names could fit the “upgrade” profile. Victor Osimhen would offer proven goals at the highest level, combining physicality
with elite finishing.
Another option could be Ivan Toney, whose Premier League experience and composure would provide a more immediate solution, though perhaps with less long-term upside.
Ultimately, the truth likely lies somewhere in between. Šeško may not yet be “the answer,” but he could still become part of it.
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