Manchester United inadvertently avoided what would likely have been a major transfer mistake in the summer.
Manchester United’s disappointing 2024/25 season meant wholesale changes were guaranteed when the summer transfer window opened. The priority for United was to reshape their forward line. United scored a measly 44 goals in 38 Premier League games and those figures contributed to a 15th-place finish.
Since Ineos’ arrival, the priority for United has been to sign players with resale value who could either stay at Old Trafford for most of their career or be sold for a profit. Following this blueprint, the first target of the summer was Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap.
Delap was always destined to remain in the Premier League having enjoyed a good season with the Tractor Boys. The Suffolk club may have been relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking, but Delap’s 12 goals in the Premier League showed signs he could make the step up and retain his place in the top flight, even if his team didn’t.
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He also had the right profile for the attack Ruben Amorim was looking to build: tall and athletic, with the ability to hold the ball up and an eye for goal. A £30m release clause saw United try to persuade him to move to Old Trafford, but in the end Chelsea were seen as a more enticing option and United had to go back to the drawing board.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo joined to strengthen United’s attack but the Reds were still missing a focal point at the top of the pitch. Viktor Gyokeres chose Arsenal so with options running out, United turned to Benjamin Sesko.
Younger than both Delap and Gyokeres and without experience of English football, it was a gamble to spend an initial £66m, which could rise to £72m, to bring the forward in. It may still be a gamble that doesn’t pay off, but there have been signs of promise.
Both Delap and Gyokeres have proven to be unwise additions for Chelsea and Arsenal respectively. Delap has struggled with just two goals in 21 appearances for his new club.
Sesko has six in 21. While this is by no means golden boot form either, the Slovenian has at least shown more promise than Delap and has a higher ceiling for improvement.
His goal on Sunday against Fulham could be a huge turning point. Bouncing back from hitting the post shortly after coming on, Sesko showed brilliant composure to win the game for United in stoppage time. He may have cost them £36m more than Delap would have done but in the long-term this could be money well spent.
The pursuit of a striker was complex, with United considering a host of options before settling on Sesko. Victor Osimhen, Moise Kean, and others were also reportedly evaluated, highlighting the difficulty in finding the right fit. The fact that Newcastle offered higher fees and wages for Sesko, only to be rejected, speaks to the player’s clear preference for United, a factor that undoubtedly influenced the club’s willingness to pay a premium.
However, the initial reaction from some agents suggests a degree of skepticism surrounding the transfer. According to a survey conducted by The Athletic, six out of 20 agents voted Sesko’s move as the worst signing of the summer. One agent criticized the price tag as “way too much money and much too soon,” while another suggested the club was “pressurised into making that signing.” A third remarked, “A lot of money for not much of a pedigree.”
Despite this criticism, Sesko has demonstrated qualities that suggest he could become a valuable asset for United. His hold-up play, strength, intelligent movement, and aerial prowess have all been noted, and his two Premier League goals – against Brentford and Sunderland – offer a glimpse of his potential. The fact that he has already begun to contribute goals, while Delap has struggled to make an impact at Chelsea, further supports the argument that United may have made the right call.
The contrasting fortunes of Delap and Gyokeres also reinforce the wisdom of United’s decision. Delap has endured two injury setbacks, sidelining him for over 60 days and failing to register a goal or assist in eight Premier League appearances. Gyokeres, while starting regularly for Arsenal, has shown limited impact, particularly in a recent match against Wolverhampton Wanderers where he made only three passes and lost possession eight times in 81 minutes.
The early signs suggest that Sesko possesses a higher upside than both Delap and Gyokeres. While the initial investment was substantial, his potential to develop into a key player for United could justify the expenditure. The club’s focus on signing players with resale value, as championed by the new ownership, appears to be paying dividends, at least in this instance. The decision to pursue Sesko, even after missing out on their initial targets, now looks like a shrewd piece of business, potentially averting a costly transfer mistake.
