A streamlined recruitment room at Manchester United will have plenty to focus on in 2025.
Dan Ashworth’s exit at Manchester United is not expected to result in an external hire as his replacement. Instead, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell will take on more prominent roles.
Wilcox has already been involved in negotiations to sign Diego Leon, while recruitment expert Vivell is expected to make his presence felt.
Vivell was hired on a temporary basis to assist in the summer, which is now expected to develop into a longer-term role.
Benjamin Sesko to be a target
With Vivell taking on an increased role, Manchester United are expected to renew interest in striker Benjamin Sesko next summer.
United held interest in Sesko in 2024, before the striker re-committed his future to RB Leipzig, signing a contract extension.
Sesko’s extension crucially has a £55 million release clause, keeping the door open for interested clubs.
United were linked with Sesko when he was 16, and again in 2022, before he switched from Red Bull Salzburg to RB Leipzig.
United In Focus understand Benjamin Sesko is a player who is still of interest to Manchester United, particularly Vivell, who signed him for Red Bull Salzburg as a teenager.
Transfer inside Graeme Bailey explains: “Christopher Vivell is already playing a major role in recruitment and scouting at the club, he was warmly welcomed in over the summer and the club are already utilising his knowledge and opinion.
“In terms of Sesko – I am told that he has not gone in at Old Trafford and said, ‘you have to sign Sesko’ – hands down. But when he came in, they asked him about certain players, and Sesko was one.
“He was able to give them a more detailed analysis of him as a person as well as a player, and just why he values him.
“We are told United’s own assessment of Sesko was not too dissimilar, they already considered him as one of the best young forwards in the world – right in the same category as Gyokeres or Isak.”
Manchester United are still in the very early stages of planning for next summer’s transfer window, with the January window still to come. Sesko would very much be a target for next summer, rather than the winter window.
Bailey adds: “Sesko is someone towards the very top of United’s list wishlist for 2025 and that has only been backed up by Vivell and his understanding of the player, but it is not just him or nothing, he is one of a number of options.
“But with Vivell on board and the fact Sesko and his team know him well, am told from German sources, that it should not be underestimated the esteem he is held in.”
Benjamin Sesko developing into future star
Benjamin Sesko is 21-years-old and has a very creditable international record for Slovenia already, scoring 16 goals in 39 total appearances.
This season Sesko has scored nine goals and provided three assists, which included three strikes in the Champions League, netting once past Atletico Madrid and twice against Juventus.
His record at RB Leipzig stands at 27 goals in 63 matches. He is a direct striker who would provide competition for Rasmus Hojlund, a young, genuine forward, unlike Joshua Zirkzee who describes himself as more of a 9.5.
Sesko has famously welcomed a comparison with Erling Haaland, commenting: “”Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy.
“They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is. My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him!”
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