Benjamin Sesko transfer saga: Could Slovenian star be United’s missing piece?

As the summer transfer window of 2025 beams with activity, Manchester United’s pursuit of a new striker has zeroed in on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old Slovenian, nicknamed “The Beast” for his towering 6ft 5in frame and predatory instincts, is at the heart of a potential £60m-£78m move that could reshape United’s attack under manager Ruben Amorim. With the Red Devils desperate to ignite their goalscoring spark, Sesko’s blend of raw potential and proven quality has ignited excitement and debate among fans. This piece is set to explore his 2024/25 season, his playing style, how he fits Amorim’s vision, and what Old Trafford could expect if the deal comes to life.

Sesko’s 2024/25 season statistics

Sesko’s 2024/25 campaign with RB Leipzig has been a tale of growth tempered by scrutiny. In 33 Bundesliga appearances, he scored 13 goals and added two assists, totaling 3,761 minutes nearly 900 more than the previous season. Across all competitions, he notched 17 goals in 46 matches, a respectable but not explosive return for a player commanding a potential £78m fee. His expected goals (xG) stood at 13.6, with an expected non-penalty goals plus assists of 13.3, suggesting he’s converting chances at a steady clip but not overperforming his opportunities.

Standout moments include a stunning strike against Bayern Munich, showcasing his ability to deliver in big games. However, his goal tally dipped slightly from 14 in 2023/24, despite more minutes, and Leipzig’s disappointing seventh-place finish in the Bundesliga didn’t help his case. Critics point to his inconsistency only seven of his 14 league goals last season came in a late-season burst while supporters argue his broader contributions, like linking play and occupying defenders, show a maturing all-rounder.

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Playing style of Sesko

Sesko is no old-school target man, despite his imposing physique. His game blends classic centre-forward traits with modern versatility. Fast, powerful, and aerially dominant, he thrives running in behind or bullying defenders. Yet, he’s equally comfortable dropping deep to link play, receiving with his back to goal, or firing long-range rockets. His technical finesse, rare for a 6ft 5in striker, allows him to navigate tight spaces and create for others, though his assist numbers (eight in 87 Leipzig appearances) suggest room for growth.

Comparisons to Erling Haaland are inevitable both are tall, quick, and emerged from Red Bull Salzburg but Sesko’s game is less about relentless box-poaching and more about fluidity. He’s a hybrid No. 9, capable of leading the line or drifting to facilitate wingers like United’s new signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. His ability to score from distance or with either foot adds unpredictability, though his “finesse,” needs polishing to unlock his full potential. Moreover, he can vanish in games when service dries up, and his hold-up play, while improved, isn’t yet elite. For United, who’ve leaned on the raw Rasmus Hojlund, Sesko offers a higher floor but a similar developmental ceiling.

How Sesko could fit Amorim’s tactical philosophy

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United is a work in progress, built on intensity, fluidity, and Premier League-proven reliability. His preferred 3-4-3 or 4-2-3-1 demands a striker who can be both focal point and facilitator, pressing relentlessly while exploiting spaces behind defenses. Sesko’s profile aligns intriguingly with this vision, though not without caveats.

Amorim’s high-pressing system requires forwards to hound defenders. Sesko’s athleticism and work rate suit this, though he’s not as polished as, say, Ollie Watkins, another United target. His youth suggests he can adapt under Amorim’s coaching, especially alongside Cunha and Mbeumo, who bring similar tenacity. Again, Sesko’s height and strength make him a natural target for crosses or long balls, ideal for Amorim’s moments of direct play. His aerial prowess; better than Watkins’ could exploit United’s wingers, with Mbeumo’s pinpoint deliveries from the right. Sesko’s ability to hold off defenders would also free Bruno Fernandes to orchestrate from deeper roles.

Amorim’s attack thrives on movement, with forwards interchanging to confuse markers. Sesko’s habit of dropping deep to link play, honed at Leipzig, mirrors the “false nine” traits Arsenal admired. This could synergize with Cunha’s versatility, creating unpredictable attacking patterns. However, Amorim reportedly prefers a more experienced No. 9, and Sesko’s youth has sparked internal debate, with Vivell’s Leipzig ties tipping the scales.United’s attack has been toothless, with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling. Sesko’s 13 Bundesliga goals outpace Hojlund’s four, but his xG (0.36 per 90) trails Watkins’ 0.51.

Amorim’s system, which generated chances at Sporting CP, could boost Sesko’s output, but he’ll need to sharpen his finishing to justify the fee. The risk? Sesko’s inexperience. Rio Ferdinand, a United legend, warned against another “young, inexperienced” striker, advocating for a proven star like Brighton’s Evan Ferguson or Watkins. Amorim’s comments suggest flexibility—he’s content with Hojlund, Zirkzee, Cunha, and Mbeumo but won’t block a move if the “boxes are ticked.” Sesko’s potential ticks many, but his readiness for Old Trafford’s glare is the question.

Fan expectations: Hope, hype, and patience

Manchester United fans are starved for a clinical No. 9. The Hojlund experiment, while promising, has yielded just 10 goals in 52 games. Marcus Rashford’s move to Barcelona and potential exits like Alejandro Garnacho or Antony underscore the need for a new talisman. Sesko’s arrival would spark a mix of optimism and caution. Fans will see Sesko as a statement signing a £60m-£78m bet on a potential world-beater. His highlight-reel goals, from volleys to 30-yard screamers, will fuel dreams. Social media buzz, amplified by Sky Germany’s claim that Sesko is “impressed” by United’s project, suggests he’s ready to embrace the challenge. His 16 goals in 41 Slovenia caps, including Euro 2024, add international pedigree.

Supporters will expect 15-20 goals in his debut season, especially with Amorim’s system and wingers like Mbeumo feeding him. Sesko’s physicality could thrive against Premier League defenders, and his youth promises a decade-long asset, unlike the 29-year-old Watkins, whose £40m-£45m fee offers less resale value. Fans will also hope Sesko’s Leipzig experience facing Bayern and Dortmund—prepares him for United’s high-stakes clashes. Sesko isn’t the finished article. His dips in form and Leipzig’s soft market (no major bids despite a £60m tag) reflect doubts about his immediate elite-club readiness. Fans, scarred by Hojlund’s slow start, must temper expectations. Sesko’s 2023 decision to join Leipzig over United, citing a better stylistic fit, hints at a cautious mindset—he’ll need time to adjust to the Premier League’s intensity and scrutiny.

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Conclusion

United’s interest in Sesko, fueled by Vivell’s advocacy and Leipzig’s willingness to negotiate at £60m-£78m, signals ambition. The Slovenian’s 2024/25 stats—13 Bundesliga goals, 17 overall aren’t eye-popping, but his age, versatility, and ceiling make him a calculated risk. Compared to Watkins, Sesko offers youth and upside; compared to Hojlund, he’s more polished but equally unproven at the absolute elite level.

Amorim’s vision demands a striker who presses, links, and scores. Sesko checks most boxes, but his fit hinges on coaching and patience. If United secure him, fans can expect a dynamic, developing No. 9 capable of moments of magic but not yet a 30-goal machine. Rival interest from Newcastle, eyeing Sesko as an Alexander Isak replacement, adds urgency, United must act swiftly or risk losing another target, as they did with Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal.

For now, Sesko’s potential move is a tantalizing prospect. If he lands at Old Trafford, the “Beast” could become the cornerstone of Amorim’s rebuild—or a reminder that potential, however dazzling, needs time to shine. What do United fans think: is Sesko the answer, or should Amorim chase a proven star? The debate is just beginning.