It is the summer of blockbuster moves, but for Manchester United, the clouds hanging over Old Trafford are heavier than in recent memory.
The headlines have been dominated by Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko, the 22-year-old Slovenian forward from RB Leipzig. But as the club grapples with a squad that limped to 15th in the Premier League, a full-blown crisis for a club of this stature, the question must be asked: will another big-money striker really save Manchester United from mediocrity, or should they be looking deeper into the heart of their problems?
The Seduction of Benjamin Sesko, and Newcastle United’s Edge
Manchester United’s interest in Sesko is well documented: the Red Devils have made the striker a top target this summer, presenting long-term project plans in a bid to beat the competition. And competition there is, with Newcastle United making the first concrete offer, reportedly matching RB Leipzig’s £65–70 million valuation.
For Benjamin Sesko, Newcastle United’s pitch holds tangible appeal, as they are set to play Champions League football next season. On the other hand, Manchester United missed out on European competition entirely. With Alexander Isak agitating for a move to Liverpool, Eddie Howe is on the hunt for a new talisman.
Benjamin Sesko, who contributed to 27 goals last season for RB Leipzig, fits the bill with his size, movement, and finishing drawing inevitable (if lazy) comparisons to Erling Haaland. Fabrizio Romano and other insiders suggest the Champions League carrot plus Newcastle’s clear tactical plan and financial muscle could give them an edge in the transfer race. At the time of writing, Manchester United remain in the race, but they are on the back foot.
Manchester United’s Striking Crisis and the Benjamin Sesko Value Debate
There is no denying Manchester United need goals: they trudged through 38 Premier League games with just 44 goals, the fifth-worst tally in the division. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, brought in to provide a focal point in attack, have barely delivered in front of goal. Their underlying stats (shots, xG, and touches in the box) are downright alarming. The end product simply is not at the level Manchester United demand.
But with £60-70 million on offer for Benjamin Sesko, the question becomes tactical and financial. Is another striker, however talented, the solution? Or is this a case of papering over cracks in a team that has deeper structural issues?
Powerless in the Park: Manchester United’s Midfield Malaise
Look past the goals scored and the malaise is rooted deeper, in the centre of the pitch. Manchester United were routinely outclassed in midfield last season, unable to control tempo, sustain attacks, or protect their brittle backline. Fans and pundits alike have bemoaned the lack of a midfield capable of either dictating play or providing the physical and technical foundation to compete with the league’s best.
Amorim’s system craves dominance in the middle, but the current crop is ill-suited. Bruno Fernandes’s creative genius is beyond doubt, but he lacks positional discipline, and neither Manuel Ugarte nor Kobbie Mainoo has shown the ability to control games against elite opposition. Manchester United’s attempts to play with intensity and high lines are let down by the absence of physicality, passing range, and ball retention in the engine room.
There is a reason Manchester United endured their worst-ever Premier League finish: a dysfunctional midfield means no platform for sustained attacks, no shield for the defence, and a lack of creativity feeding their misfiring strikers.
Midfield First: Why Two Quality Additions Trump a Big-Money Striker
This summer, Manchester United have set their sights on improving that area, with major names like Sporting CP’s Morten Hjulmand on the shortlist. The Danish international will bring qualities Manchester United lack: He brings calm, progressive passing and positional intelligence to dictate tempo.
For the likely £70 million tag Newcastle United have slapped on Benjamin Sesko, Manchester United could recruit Hjulmand and still have room to work within FFP. It is not attractive, but history and the cold hard numbers do not lie: when Manchester United were great under Sir Alex Ferguson, it was the likes of Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick, and Roy Keane who set the tone. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Amorim know a functioning midfield is the basis for any revival.
Double-pivot upgrades would mean less pressure on the defence, more service for whoever leads the line, and an identity that has eluded the struggling Premier League giants since their powers waned. It is about control, resilience, and being able to impose themselves on top sides, a quality Manchester United have lacked, and which the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal take for granted.
Attacking Options: Smarter Spending for Sustainable Growth
This is not to say Manchester United can ignore their striking woes. But there are cost-effective, Premier League-proven options who could offer a better value-for-money ratio than splashing everything on Sesko. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa wants a new challenge, following Bryan Mbeumo’s and Thomas Frank’s departures, and he posted a remarkable 19 goals last season for an inconsistent side. He is desperate to leave and would represent a sharp, direct option at a fraction of Sesko’s cost, if Manchester United can move before Newcastle United.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson remains on Manchester United’s radar too, with Chelsea open to offers amid growing forward depth. Jackson boasts 34 goal involvements across two seasons in England and remains valued below the Sesko/Isak bracket, though his club maintain a steep £80-100 million valuation. With Chelsea reportedly willing to negotiate and a bench role not appealing, his athleticism and movement could unlock new threats for Manchester United.
Wissa and Jackson both bring proven physicality, adaptability, and hunger to prove themselves. They could share responsibility, offer rotation, and allow Manchester United financial room to fix the midfield, full-back, or even goalkeeping deficiencies plaguing their squad.
Conclusion: Champions League Edge and the Real Path Back
It is easy to get caught up in another superstar chase. Benjamin Sesko is a tantalising prospect, and Manchester United need goals. But Newcastle United’s UEFA Champions League berth, careful recruitment, and coherent tactical vision have lured the striker towards St James’ Park and left the Red Devils facing hard truths about their model.
Manchester United’s resurgence cannot hinge on one marquee No.9. They must add steel, composure, and authority in midfield to control games and finally beat the top teams again. Investing the Sesko money into two proven midfielders and using smart, cost-effective options in attack would balance the squad and lay the foundation for true long-term success.
Otherwise, Manchester United risk repeating last season’s pain: outrun, outclassed, and out of solutions, no matter who plays up front. The test of a great club is not in how much it spends, but how wisely. The solution, as ever, lies in the centre of the pitch.
