An agreement for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško could force Manchester United to change their mind on one young star ahead of the start of the upcoming Premier League season.
Manchester United have submitted an official offer for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Šeško, acting quickly after Newcastle sent in a second offer for the striker on Monday evening. The German club have yet to accept either offer, but Newcastle’s bid is believed to be worth than United’s.
However, this may not matter, as Šeško could have the final say in the transfer if the valuations are close enough to Leipzig’s initial value. The centre forward hasn’t yet made it clear where he will play football next season, but United are holding out hope that it will be at Old Trafford.
However, this raises a question about what will happen to the strikers already at the club, especially with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo also joining Rúben Amorim’s squad earlier in the transfer window.
Cunha has played up front during pre-season, but the majority of his game time will likely come as a left-sided attacking midfielder.
Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee shared the minutes as the centre forward last season, but both have been linked to moves away from Old Trafford. One player may have to leave if Šeško joins, with the other waiting in the wings in case the Slovenian struggles with form or an injury.
Obi must move on loan next season
With a striker almost sure to join Amorim’s squad, whether it’s Šeško or another option, Chido Obi could seriously struggle for first-team minutes last season, despite playing a key role in United’s pre-season preparation in the USA.
Obi has been playing as the second-choice striker behind Højlund, but this is only because Zirkzee has missed pre-season with an injury, which has held him back from linking up with Cunha and Mbeumo, with whom he could combine very well.
Therefore, if a new striker does sign for United, Obi will be pushed back to fourth-choice centre forward and, with no Europa League or Champions League, the Dane’s only real chance of game time will be in the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
The former Arsenal youngster played eight times for United’s first team last season, and he needs to continue this to help his development. A loan move may be the best option to see Obi flourish, with a club in League One or League Two, ensuring he plays regularly. However, previous reports suggest that United have no plans to loan the centre forward.
This will also help the 17-year-old develop physically, an attribute of his game he needs to work on if he wants to become a threat in the Premier League. Obi has the potential to become one of the “world’s best”, according to teammate Leny Yoro, but this will only happen if he plays regularly.
Zirkzee robbed of key role for United
During the best form of his United career, Zirkzee suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out until the Europa League final; however, when he returned, it was clear that he wasn’t fully fit. The Dutchman has also missed pre-season due to a different issue, which will likely rob him of a key role next season.
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Zirkzee could be the perfect profile to play ahead of Cunha and Mbeumo due to his more creative style when compared to other top centre-forwards. Both new signings prefer a shoot-first, pass-second approach, but Zirkzee could provide balance in the frontline.
Unfortunately for him, his injury has likely held him back from starting the season as the leading centre forward, even if United haven’t signed a new striker by then. Perhaps Zirkzee could be used as an attacking midfielder, but the form of Mason Mount in pre-season could make it hard to play there as well.
Both Højlund and Zirkzee could be set for a hugely different role next season, after playing close to 100 games between them last campaign. Neither will be the first choice if Amorim secures the signings he wants, and one may even leave before the end of the window.
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