Manchester United’s work in the transfer market is not complete if they want to compete at the very top, and they may need to improve upon Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has not impressed Michael Owen(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Benjamin Sesko is not the answer up front for Manchester United, and the club will need to go back into the transfer market to compete at the top, according to former forward Michael Owen. The striker believes Sesko can score important goals for United, but is not convinced that he can be relied upon in a title challenge.
United signed Sesko as they replenished their frontline for Ruben Amorim in the summer, arriving for £74million in addition to figures such as Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. The 22-year-old scored just two Premier League goals under the Portuguese coach but has been in inspired form since Michael Carrick took to the Old Trafford hotseat.
Sesko has bagged seven goals in 10 games since the turn of the year, though he has predominantly still operated from the bench. The youngster, currently managing an injury, appears to be finding his feet in England.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Owen, the official UK ambassador for Casino.org, a comparison website highlighting the best online casinos for UK players, is not convinced that he alone can guide United to success. The pundit does believe Carrick has done a good job in unleashing his talents, however.
“Listen, let’s quantify this, to me, he’s not the answer long term. He’s not like a Manchester United centre forward forever and ever,” Owen told Manchester Evening News.
“I think he’s an expensive player that can get better and can be nice member of their squad. If Manchester United are playing in the biggest game of the season tomorrow, I don’t think he starts and if Manchester United want to get back to where they feel they belong and challenge for the title, I don’t think he’s the forward that you go into the season with all your hopes pinned on.
England’s 2026 World Cup kits
England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL
“Yes, he’s doing better. Yes, fantastic, it’s great to see because it’s not nice to see anybody struggling. I think there’s an upgrade in there, somewhere along the line, in the next year or two or whatever, whenever somebody becomes available.
“It’s great that he’s doing well, it’s great that he can be an influence on the team and the squad and score important goals. I’m not saying, ‘oh yeah, everything’s great now and he’s now going to shoot them to the league title’.
“He’s improved him, he’s gotten confident again, he’s now an asset to the team, all of a sudden, but there’s still a long way to go”
Sesko recently pulled out of international duty for Slovenia this month as he seeks to manage fitness concerns. Cameroon’s Bryan Mbeumo also withdrew from his national team’s camp, but both are expected to be fit for Leeds.
Former RB Leipzig star Sesko has been dealing with a fitness issue with United in recent weeks and was dropped to the bench for the games against Aston Villa and Bournemouth. He will now miss Slovenia’s games against Hungary and Montenegro to try and make sure he fully recovers from his minor issue.
With United not in action the weekend after the international break, Mbeumo and Sesko have three weeks to return to fitness to face Leeds in the Premier League on Monday, April 13.
2026-03-25 06:00:00
