Manchester United have had a busy summer in the transfer window so far and there are expected to be even further additions by the Red Devils.
The beginning of the 2025/26 campaign is upon us, with Manchester United looking much improved on last season, with the idea of Ruben Amorim’s system clear.
United rounded out pre-season beating Fiorentina on penalties, having drawn 1-1 in 90 minutes, winning the Snapdragon Cup as a result.
Prior to the match kicking off, United presented the four summer signings to Old Trafford, with plenty of applause welcoming the quartet to their new home in M16.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo started for United, each showing flashes of their class but nothing substantial which leaves Amorim wanting more.
Diego Leon was on the bench with his new number 35 shirt, and fans got a glimpse of the 6ft 5in striker Benjamin Sesko who had been announced merely hours before.
Over the course of the 90, it became very clear who United’s most important signing will be this season.
Benjamin Sesko is absolutely vital for Manchester United
Both Mbeumo and Cunha are important and will have a big part to play this season, however, it was actually Sesko who grew in importance after the game at Old Trafford, despite not playing.
Sesko was likely sat in the stands watching United play, while Amorim will have been thinking about the Slovenian throughout as United struggled due to having no striker to play off.
Amorim admitted having no striker impacted United, with Mason Mount not a natural fit and he physically struggled against Fiorentina’s defenders and United therefore didn’t have anyone to hold up the ball.
Despite this, Amorim left Rasmus Hojlund on the bench against Fiorentina, which all but confirms that the club are ready to move him on this summer, as it was a clear message sent by the head coach.
What became clear without a striker was that Amorim’s system won’t work as it is, as the clear plan was to get it forward to the striker and build from there – with the midfield bypassed due to Casemiro.
Sesko is a physical monster in attack and excels when receiving the ball with his back to goal before playing it off to a teammate and then running forward, while his aerial ability would also certainly have helped.
Ruben Amorim needs Benjamin Sesko to hit the ground running
Old Trafford may have seen the end of Rasmus Hojlund on Saturday as the striker was an unused substitute, despite Amorim’s comments on the team lacking a striker in the performance.
Hojlund is heavily linked with AC Milan, with the Dane suggested to be a target on loan with an option to buy for the Italian giants.
This would mean Sesko becomes the automatic and clear number one striker ahead of a young Chido Obi in support.
RB Leipzig have told the Premier League to buckle up after Sesko’s move, and Amorim will hope this is true and the Slovenian can settle in quickly.
United won’t be solely dependent on Sesko for goals, however, Amorim will want him to be the target number nine that was missing on Saturday from the get go.
This is the positive about Sesko as despite his age and that he might take time to settle in, he has other qualities than scoring to see him be valuable even if goals don’t initially flow.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/T85alYv