After scoring just 44 points in the Premier League last season, Manchester United had to attack reinforcements during the summer window. The hierarchy has blown over £200 million with a new addition.
Benjamin Sesco is one of those players brought in with such money, and after scoring 21 times in all competitions in the last campaign, he spent an astonishing £74 million from Bundesliga costume RB Leipzig.
However, he only made one start for Reuben Amorim, but after a large money transfer in the later stages of the window, he still couldn’t identify the starting role.
Slovenian International registered a total of 19 touches in the 80-minute show at Etihad last weekend, unable to maintain play and registered only a 54% pass completion rate.
There cannot be denied that the 22-year-old needs time to settle in the role, but one player he came to exchange has already hit the ground after being moved to the board.
Why United might regret selling Hozilund
Two years ago, United fans found themselves in a similar position after completing a £72 million deal to land Rasmus Hojlund from an Italian outfit in Atalanta.
Dane’s arrival produced great excitement within the fanbase, and the youth was seen as an immediate and long-term revision of their central position.
After scoring 16 times in his debut campaign, the 22-year-old sign looked positive, but 2024/25 was the year when players were forgotten in search of success.
He netted only four league goals in his last campaign, playing 21 matches without goals in one stage before being loaned to Naples for the 2025/26 season.
His temporary deal will require Antonio Conte to buy it next summer if he qualifies for the Champions League at the end of the current campaign.
Hojlund has only been featured for 73 minutes since moving to Naples, but has scored in his debut in a 3-1 victory at Fiorentina.
However, despite his immediate influence from Old Trafford, another former player has also thrived since departure.
Former United Striker, an upgrade from Sesco
United’s lack of clinical goalscorers over the past few seasons has hindered them on a massive scale, in line with the expectations given to them by their fanbase.
The Red Devils didn’t have one player doubled in their final league goal campaign. It emphasizes the need to add reinforcements during the offseason.
Sesco was the guy they chose to lead the line, but given his lack of immediate impact, it led to questions asked by the fanbase about his big money arrival.
He needs time to settle for British football, but the 40-year-old may be under great pressure after Amorim won only one of his first four league outings in 2025/26.
The experienced option may have handed over the manager because former Red Devil star Danny Welbeck was definitely able to offer it and given his form recently he was able to offer just that.
The 34-year-old spent seven years at Dream Theatre between 2007 and 2014, earning 142 appearances for his first team, finding the backstage of the net in 29 times.
The 2011/12 campaign was the best for the club, scoring 12 times in every competition, but keeping his first team’s team is not enough. Then two years later they set out for Arsenal on a £16 million deal.
Fast forward to the present, Welbeck is currently trading Brighton & Hove Albion, earning over 150 appearances for the Seagulls over five years on the coast.
The final campaign was the highest ever in the Premier League, scoring 10 goals and reaching double digits for the first time as Fabian Hazeler’s team finished the year in 8th place.
His underlying statistics highlight why Sesko’s very impressive and very good new big money additions in countless key areas likewise make him a better option now.
Labeled “Incredible” by Ryan Adsett, Welbeck scores better goals per shot at the target rate (0.4), indicating that he has Cesco’s clinical edge in the final third.
How did Welbeck and Sesko compare in 2024/25? | ||
|---|---|---|
Statistics (per 90) | Welbeck | Sesco |
The game has been played | 30 | 33 |
The goal scored | 10 | 13 |
Goals for each target shot | 0.4 | 0.3 |
Accuracy | 85% | 67% |
Key path has been created | 1.1 | 0.7 |
Shot creation action | 2.3 | 1.9 |
The foul won | 1.1 | 0.7 |
Progressive Pass | 2.1 | 1.7 |
Statistics via FBREF | ||
But in addition to his impressive shooting stats, the British also achieved a better pass completion rate (85%), but registered more key passes per 90. This provides a better hold-up option.
He also pulled out more fouls from the opposition, but created actions that create more shots (2.3), arguably an all-around option that is better than the £74 million summer addition.
He may be 34 years old, but Welbeck has the tools to instantly influence his boyhood club.
Sesko will undoubtedly become a great talent in the coming years, but given the current situation, an immediate solution is needed to avoid further failures on the pitch.