As Manchester United’s transfer window heats up, former assistant manager Rene Meulensteen has issued a cautionary note regarding the potential signing of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. With the Red Devils closing in on a deal for the Slovenian striker, the question remains whether another big-money signing could end up as a disappointment, much like Rasmus Hojlund.
A Repeat of the Hojlund Saga?
Manchester United’s pursuit of Benjamin Sesko has drawn parallels with the club’s £72m investment in Rasmus Hojlund last summer. While Sesko is highly regarded for his potential, Meulensteen believes that the 20-year-old will need significant time to adjust to the intensity and style of the Premier League.
Meulensteen shared his concerns, telling Poker Strategy: “Sesko has potential, no doubt, but he’s still a young player. The Premier League is a different beast than the Bundesliga, and he will need time to adapt. Just like Hojlund, there’s a chance that things won’t click straight away, and the club could find themselves in a similar situation with another unproven, big-money signing.”
Both players bring promise, but Meulensteen warned that Manchester United’s recent history with transfers should serve as a cautionary tale. The club paid a hefty price for Hojlund in 2023, and while he showed flashes of potential at Atalanta, his transition to Manchester United was underwhelming, leading to disappointing results in his first season.
The Case for Ollie Watkin
Meulensteen suggested that Manchester United might have been better off pursuing Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, a Premier League-proven forward with similar characteristics to Sesko. The English striker’s work ethic and adaptability to top-flight football could make him a safer bet for the Red Devils.
“Ollie Watkins is someone who already has the experience of playing in the Premier League, and his hard-working mentality could prove invaluable to a team like United,” Meulensteen noted. “Why not bring him in and allow Hojlund to develop with some proper guidance, instead of risking another £70m+ on a player who still has so much to prove?”
Financial Scrutiny Amid Rising Costs
The signing of Sesko, reportedly costing around £74m, comes at a time when Manchester United’s financial situation has been under heavy scrutiny. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of the club, previously claimed that United would have faced serious financial issues without the cost-saving measures he implemented. Yet, with the arrivals of players like Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo totaling over £127m, and the potential for Sesko’s deal to further inflate the club’s budget, questions are being raised about the sustainability of this spending spree.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson expressed doubts over the financial narrative painted by Ratcliffe earlier in the year, stating that the club’s financial struggles seem to have dissipated despite previous warnings.
Borson told Football Insider: “It seems like Manchester United are still intent on continuing their spending spree despite the financial challenges Ratcliffe mentioned earlier. The reality now appears to be that the financial issues Ratcliffe alluded to might have been exaggerated. They’ve spent significant sums already, and it’s unclear why they feel comfortable continuing to do so now.”
