Manchester United were looking to sign an ‘experienced’ striker in the upcoming window, but a wonderkid’s emergence means Benjamin Sesko is it.
Having had just one full season in the Premier League, Benjamin Sesko is far from what you call a seasoned veteran.
Forget the Premier League, Sesko, turning 23 soon, is a youngster in football itself, let alone in English football.
However, a Man Utd wonderkid’s emergence means the Slovenian needs to carry the senior striker burden next season in a change of plans.
Sum up Benjamin Sesko’s debut season for Manchester United in one word…
Chido Obi is becoming undeniable for Man Utd
United have a pretty thin striker rotation, but it couldn’t have come at a better time, because they will finish the season having played just 40 games.
This season has allowed Sesko to develop without the pressure of starting every week, and he has started to come into his own of late.
In the meantime, Chido Obi, last season’s emergency striker, has grafted away in academy football to improve his all-around game.
After his brace against Man City U21s in the Premier League 2 Playoffs semi-final, it’s clear that Obi is ready to bounce back into the senior team.
Obi showed his trademark movement and finishing touch, combining it with pressing from the front, linking up the play, and being a general nuisance up front.
He has improved leaps and bounds from the poacher who was thrown into the first team last season with little to no preparation.
His goalscoring numbers aren’t as remarkable anymore, but as a player, he is much more ready for senior football.
The improvement must be rewarded with a first-team berth next season, which means a change in plans is in the offing at Old Trafford.
Benjamin Sesko’s role and Man Utd’s plan change
United have been looking for an ‘experienced’ striker in the summer window, but Obi’s emergence means Sesko needs to take that role.
Would you give Chido Obi another chance in the first-team?
He's improved a lot for Manchester United…
The Slovenian has had a season of protection under Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Bruno Fernandes, so he needs to be unleashed as the undisputed first choice now.
Add to that Joshua Zirkzee’s exciting cameos, and the odd shift by Mbeumo as the No. 9, and it’s clear that with Obi’s promotion, United have more than enough to cover at least 50 games in all competitions.
Pivoting away from the striker slot will also allow them more bandwidth to spend on midfielders or a left winger, two positions of more urgent priority.
Sesko finding his feet in English football and Obi making a mockery of academy football are the exact two developments that needed to happen to force a change of plans at Old Trafford.
Both have happened in the last few weeks, and they come at the perfect time.
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