Former Premier League manager Sam Allardyce has revealed who he would’ve signed instead of Benjamin Šeško after a poor start from the Slovenian.
Manchester United’s biggest problem last season was goal-scoring, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggling to lead the line for Rúben Amorim.
As such, Jason Wilcox – United’s Director of Football – turned his attention to signing proven attackers in the summer transfer window. The first target was Liam Delap, who had a £30 million release clause after Ipswich’s relegation, but he chose Chelsea over United.
Like Delap, Matheus Cunha had a release clause – worth £62.5 million – and United quickly confirmed his transfer at the start of the window. Then Wilcox turned to Bryan Mbeumo, who eventually joined the club for over £70 million after a long transfer saga.
With Cunha and Mbeumo in the No.10 positions, United were much better off in the final third. However, signing a centre forward was still crucial as Amorim made it clear Hojlund wouldn’t be a regular.
Benjamin Šeško joined United at the end of the window from RB Leipzig, as a young striker who could improve as time went on. The Slovenian netted his first goal against Brentford, but has struggled since his move from Germany.
Allardyce favours Mateta to Šeško
Jean-Philippe Mateta was linked to United in the summer, but the club appeared to favour a young striker rather than an experienced option like the Frenchman. Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sam Allardyce revealed why United should’ve signed the Crystal Palace forward.
“Do you know who I’d have bought, more than anybody else? Mateta, absolutely. The centre-forward is absolutely brilliant and why they didn’t buy him, I don’t know, especially when the big strikers are coming back [into fashion].
“You look at the size of the lad that Newcastle signed [Nick Woltemade], you look at the size of the centre-forwards again. Mateta is winning in a team and winning the FA Cup and getting to Europe and it took him more than a year to do it.
“There aren’t many centre-forwards as good as he is. Why did nobody go: ‘Bang!’, Manchester United, because he’s got everything.”
Signing Mateta would’ve been costly for United, but Šeško was worth close to £70 million himself and has struggled for his best form since his move. He may prove to be a better signing in the long run, but Mateta would be playing better now.
It’s too early to judge Šeško with Amorim situation
Like Hojlund under Erik ten Hag, Šeško has been thrown in at the deep end, and now starts every game in one of the worst United sides in the Premier League began in the early 1990s.
In any of the other top sides, Šeško would be the backup option for an experienced striker. Therefore, he would play without the pressure, meaning he could play his best football.
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However, Šeško looks set to be United’s starting striker while the club decide if Amorim is the right man to lead United forward. He isn’t getting regular service and is forced to feed on scraps from defensive mistakes.
While it’s difficult not to, United fans should stay clear of judging Šeško for the time being. He needs time under a settled manager to showcase his true ability.
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