Richly gifted Sesko ready to seize chance in United rebuild

The Slovenia striker is a more rounded player than Erling Haaland and his arrival is a big boost for Ruben Amorim

- Andy Brassell

It has, for a while, appeared to be destiny. Benjamin Sesko's arrival at Manchester United was third-time lucky for last season's Europa League finalists, having attempted to make a deal for the Slovenia striker when he was leaving Domžale in 2019 and again when he agreed to fly the Red Bull Salzburg nest in 2022, eventually joining up with RB Leipzig a year down the line.

Now United have their man, who is still only 22, and if Sesko has been feted in the inner circles of European football since his mid-teens, one could suggest the wait has not only been worthwhile but that it could work in favour of Ruben Amorim as he attempts to author a dramatic uptick in the fortunes of the English game's premier fallen giant.

And now, the time for talking and for contemplating is done. United have wanted their headline No. 9, and Sesko has wanted his chance to shine in England. Both have had their wishes come true and both need to prove that their partnership can be a fruitful one because, beyond the hype, club and player have a lot staked on this, and really need it to work. Sesko's debut is expected to come at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Ever since Sesko arrived at Leipzig in 2023, it was strongly suspected this moment would come. From even earlier, perhaps. Sesko arrived in the Red Bull universe in 2019, signing his Salzburg deal a few days after turning 16, less than a year after Erling Haaland had done the same.