After scoring simply 44 occasions within the Premier League final season, Manchester United desperately wanted attacking reinforcements through the summer time window, with the hierarchy splashing upwards of £200m on new additions.
Benjamin Sesko was one of many gamers introduced in with such funds, costing a staggering £74m from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig after scoring 21 occasions in all competitions final marketing campaign.
Nevertheless, he’s solely made one begin for Ruben Amorim, unable to nail down a beginning position as of but after his big-money switch within the latter levels of the window.
The Slovenian worldwide solely registered a complete of 19 touches in his 80-minute displaying on the Etihad final weekend, failing to carry up the play and solely registering a 54% go completion price.
There’s no denying that the 22-year-old will want time to settle into the position, however one participant he’s are available to exchange has already hit the bottom working after being moved on by the board.
Why United could remorse promoting Hojlund
Two years in the past, United followers discovered themselves in an identical place, after the hierarchy accomplished a £72m deal to land Rasmus Hojlund from Italian outfit, Atalanta.
The Dane’s arrival generated large pleasure inside the fanbase, with the teen seen as a right away and long-term repair for the centre-forward place.
After scoring 16 occasions in his debut marketing campaign, the indicators seemed optimistic for the 22-year-old, however 2024/25 was a 12 months to overlook for the participant in his quest for fulfillment.
He solely netted 4 league objectives final marketing campaign, even going 21 video games with no purpose at one stage, subsequently being loaned out to Napoli for the 2025/26 season.
His short-term deal has an obligation to purchase subsequent summer time if Antonio Conte’s aspect qualify for the Champions League on the finish of the present marketing campaign – one thing which ought to occur given their title triumph in Might.
Hojlund has solely featured for 73 minutes since making the transfer to Naples, however has already hit the bottom working – scoring on his debut within the 3-1 victory over Fiorentina.
Nevertheless, regardless of his fast affect away from Outdated Trafford, one different former participant has additionally thrived since departing – with the choice to dump him now wanting as if it was a questionable one.
The previous United striker who’s an improve on Sesko
United’s lack of a medical goalscorer during the last couple of seasons has massively held them again from matching the expectations positioned upon them by the fanbase.
The Crimson Devils didn’t have a single participant who reached double figures in league objectives final marketing campaign – highlighting the necessity to add reinforcements through the low season.
Sesko was the person they selected to guide the road, however given his lack of fast affect, it has led to questions being requested by the fanbase about his big-money arrival.
He’ll want time to settle into English soccer, however Amorim could not have such luxuries, with the 40-year-old underneath large strain after solely profitable considered one of their first 4 league outings in 2025/26.
An skilled choice may properly have handed the supervisor simply that, with former Crimson Satan star Danny Welbeck arguably having the ability to present simply that, given his kind away from Outdated Trafford in current occasions.
The 34-year-old spent seven years on the Theatre of Desires between 2007 and 2014, racking up 142 appearances for the first-team and discovering the again of the web on 29 events.
The 2011/12 marketing campaign was his greatest for the membership, scoring 12 occasions throughout all competitions, however it wouldn’t be sufficient to maintain maintain of his first-team squad – subsequently leaving for Arsenal in a £16m deal two years later.
Quick-forward to the current day, and Welbeck is now plying his commerce for Brighton & Hove Albion, racking up over 150 appearances for the Seagulls over a five-year interval on the coast.
Final marketing campaign was his best-ever within the Premier League, netting ten objectives and reaching double figures for the primary time as Fabian Hurzeler’s aspect ended the 12 months in eighth place.
His underlying stats had been additionally simply as spectacular, massively outperforming new big-money addition, Sesko, in numerous key areas – highlighting why he’d be a greater choice at current.
Welbeck, who’s been labelled “unbelievable” by Ryan Adsett, posted a greater purpose per shot on course price (0.4), showcasing that he possesses a medical edge over Sesko within the ultimate third.
How Welbeck & Sesko in contrast in 2024/25 | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Welbeck | Sesko |
Video games performed | 30 | 33 |
Targets scored | 10 | 13 |
Targets per shot on course | 0.4 | 0.3 |
Cross accuracy | 85% | 67% |
Key passes made | 1.1 | 0.7 |
Shot-creating actions | 2.3 | 1.9 |
Fouls gained | 1.1 | 0.7 |
Progressive passes | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Stats by way of FBref | ||
Nevertheless, alongside his spectacular capturing stats, the Englishman additionally achieved a greater go completion price (85%), while registering extra key passes per 90 – providing a greater hold-up choice, one thing which the brand new addition has struggled with to this point.
He additionally drew extra fouls from the opposition, while creating extra shot-creating actions (2.3), undoubtedly being a greater all-round choice than the £74m summer time addition.
While he could also be a 34-year-old, Welbeck has the instruments to make a right away affect again at his boyhood membership, given their current struggles inside the ultimate third.
There’s no query Sesko might be an excellent expertise within the years forward, however given their present scenario, a right away resolution is required to keep away from additional failures on the pitch.
