Manchester United’s transfer decisions are under renewed scrutiny as Arsenal icon Paul Merson delivers a scathing assessment of Benjamin Sesko’s early struggles. The £74 million summer signing has yet to find his form at Old Trafford, and Merson believes United missed a trick by not targeting Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta instead. With the Red Devils languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, frustrations are mounting both on and off the pitch.
Merson: Mateta Offers More Than Sesko
On The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Paul Merson didn’t hold back in his criticism of United’s high-profile summer signing. Despite Benjamin Sesko’s potential and hefty price tag, the former England international believes Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta—who cost just £11 million from Mainz in 2022—is the better option.
“Sesko’s not going to score goals because he’s not getting the right service,” Merson explained. “He’s got two players behind him who play off the cuff—no consistent supply from wide areas. I actually feel sorry for him.”
Merson has long advocated for a more traditional striker and pointed to Mateta’s physical presence and Premier League consistency as exactly what United need. “He’s strong, leads the line, and causes problems,” said Merson. “But United won’t go for him because he plays for Crystal Palace and isn’t seen as fashionable.”
United’s Transfer Gamble Failing to Pay Off
Manchester United splashed over £200 million during the summer in an effort to rebuild their squad. Alongside Sesko, names like Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon, and Senne Lammens arrived at Old Trafford. However, after six Premier League matches, United sit in a disappointing 14th place.
Sesko’s only goal so far came in a 3-1 defeat to Brentford—hardly the return expected for a player who joined from RB Leipzig amid significant hype.
Under-pressure manager Ruben Amorim, who endured a difficult 15th-place finish last season, is already facing questions about his future as results fail to improve.
Wayne Rooney Voices Concern Over United’s Direction
Adding to the growing unease, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney expressed his deep concerns about the current state of the club. Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney didn’t mince words when analyzing United’s ongoing issues.
“I’m not seeing anything that gives me confidence,” said Rooney. “Whether it’s the manager, players, or the ownership—something needs to change drastically.”
Rooney also called out the club’s lack of identity and deteriorating culture. “The culture of that football club has gone,” he added. “I see staff leaving, morale slipping, and it’s not the Manchester United I knew.”
The former England captain, who has two sons in United’s academy system, fears that the problems at senior level could eventually trickle down to the youth setup.
The Bigger Picture: Time for a New Approach at Old Trafford?
While Benjamin Sesko still has time to prove his worth, early signs suggest that Manchester United may have prioritized potential over proven quality. With Jean-Philippe Mateta thriving at Crystal Palace and providing the kind of presence United sorely lack up front, Paul Merson’s remarks hit a nerve at a club already searching for answers.
As pressure builds on manager Ruben Amorim and unrest grows behind the scenes, the Red Devils are in desperate need of clarity, leadership, and above all, results.
