Nicolas Jackson vs Benjamin Sesko: Who should Manchester United sign under Ruben Amorim?

If we speak about his most notable 3-4-3 structure, Ruben Amorim generally prefers to have a striker who is adept at pressing aggressively from the front OOP. In possession, he needs players who have that ability to make clever movements in behind the defence whilst trying to link up play with the inside forwards when needed. So in a way, he doesn’t need strikers who are only pure poachers; the former Sporting Lisbon coach needs someone who also links up play.

So bringing in just a “static” #9 won’t cut it given how Amorim will demand that tactical intelligence, and keeping this in mind, let’s jump into the strikers in question.

Nicolas Jackson vs Benjamin Sesko: Who would you bring to M16?

Sign a raw dynamo in Nicolas Jackson

The Chelsea forward has now played a reasonable time as the first-choice striker at Stamford Bridge, and he comes with an understanding of the league. He is quite elite when it comes to his pressing, given how regularly we see him being involved in defensive actions and high-intensity runs for the Blues. And he does have that explosive pace and quick feet, which allow him to get in behind.

We have also seen him drift into flanks quite often in games, which sees him dragging out defenders, and this means you can use him continuously swapping with Matheus Cunha to bring a layer of tactical flexibility to the side.

But then, even Jackson has been a source of frustration to fans in West London given how he has been quite erratic in making those decisions in the final third. And that doesn’t help given his inconsistent finishing despite getting into decent positions (given how we have seen him lack that composure when under pressure time and again at Chelsea).

If we think about this purely from a Ruben Amorim point of view, his mobility and pressing could end up being an excellent match for the aggressive pressing style that Amorim deploys. However, if the Manchester Reds are looking for a clinical, focal-point striker that has the capacity to convert chances, Jackson might not yet be that player. m (he would be too much of a similar mould to that of Jackson and Zirkzee in front of goal).

Bring in a target man with a modern twist in Benjamin Sesko

Then comes Benjamin Sesko, the Slovenian striker compared to Haaland, given how he is very reminiscent of the Man City forward in many ways in front of the goal.

Sesko is quite dominant when it comes to his aerial abilities, and that also makes him quite strong going into duels. He has those excellent movements whilst operating in the box, especially for a tall man in the box. And Sesko has over the years developed a solid first touch, which helps him play with his back to the goal.

Now he can; when it comes to finishing, he is absolutely elite. Sesko has that capacity to be the answer to Haaland in the Manchester derby.

That being said, he is not as intense when it comes to pressing, and when directly compared to Jackson, he is not as mobile or tenacious defensively as well. So if we are thinking about him thriving, he needs a structured team setup around him.

Sesko gives something to United that we haven’t seen at Old Trafford since maybe prime Cavani or Ibrahimovic. Someone who is tall and has that capacity to bully the defenders and attack crosses. While he is not a natural presser, Sesko’s physicality and presence could offer Amorim a true focal point, especially if he is paired with fluid wingers.

Author Opinion

If Amorim wants someone who is more of a stylistic match, then Nicolas Jackson may be the better fit given his pressing and mobility and how that could go well in a dynamic attack alongside Cunha and Mbeumo.

But if Amorim is looking to bring in an efficient goalscorer who has a long-term upside and better composure in front of goal, then. Benjamin Sesko is your answer for sure.

And given how the RB Leipzig striker has a higher upside and potential to raise the ceiling of the attacking roster at M16, United should definitely consider bringing him to Old Trafford.