Why £26m Premier League striker may suit Man United better than Benjamin Sesko

Sesko has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland, not just for his style of play but also his career path. He’s even got supporters within the club, including Christopher Vivell. But there are a couple of big issues holding back any potential move.

The first is the price tag. Even if RB Leipzig are willing to negotiate around the £60m mark, that figure is still out of reach given United’s current financial situation.

The second issue is what they’d actually be getting for that money. Sesko still falls more into the category of promise than proven talent.

While Haaland had already made a significant impact in the Bundesliga at a similar age during his time at Dortmund, Sesko managed 13 league goals last season and still shows signs of inexperience that might not translate well to the Premier League.

Right now, Sesko’s potential seems more appealing than what he currently offers on the pitch. United have already been down this road with Rasmus Hojlund, and there’s little appetite for repeating that approach.

What makes Jean Philippe-Mateta a better option than Benjamin Sesko

Sesko is valued at around £60m, and that’s just the starting point. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace forward Jean Philippe-Mateta is reportedly available for about £26m.

Even if Palace hold firm in negotiations, paying up to £35m would still be a reasonable move for United given how well he fits into what Amorim needs. It’s surprising they haven’t made a move yet.

Mateta already has the Premier League experience, much like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. That helps reduce the margin for error at a club that has made plenty of questionable moves lately.

While Sesko scored 13 goals in Germany last season, Mateta managed 14 in the Premier League itself. Adding him to a squad with Cunha and Mbeumo would give United nearly 50 Premier League goals from three new signings, a significant boost for a team that managed just 44 goals last season.

His playing style also aligns well with what United need. He is effective both running into channels and linking up play, complementing attacking midfielders like Cunha and Mbeumo.

At 28, Mateta is entering his peak years but isn’t so young that he’d block the path of emerging talent from the academy.

You can easily see him holding down the role for three or four years until someone like Chido Obi is ready to step up, with Joshua Zirkzee providing depth.

The likes of Obi, Gabriele Biancheri and Louie Bradbury are all pushing towards first-team opportunities over the next few seasons.

Bringing in another young project striker now wouldn’t align with their development timelines. United already have enough potential; they need someone who can deliver straight away.

Mateta offers exactly that, an immediate impact without blocking future prospects. He is clearly the smarter choice over Sesko right now.