Rio Ferdinand has explained what Benjamin Šeško’s Manchester United transfer will make Premier League defenders think this season.
Manchester United have completed four summer signings, with Rúben Amorim focused on reinforcing the core of his Old Trafford squad.
The window began with Matheus Cunha, whose move was announced on day one and wrapped up two weeks later. Bryan Mbeumo followed, signalling his intent to join in early June, though prolonged talks with Brentford meant the deal took six weeks to conclude.
In between, United added 18-year-old left-back Diego Leon, who has impressed at Carrington and earned a place on the fringes of the first team.
The headline arrival came in the form of Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig, taking total spending to roughly £214 million. Further additions are expected, with a midfielder and goalkeeper still on the list.
Šeško’s move will change the perspective
With Šeško, Cunha, and Mbeumo all through the door and set to have their first week of training together at Carrington prior to the season opener against Arsenal next Sunday, all three look likely to start at Old Trafford.
After Rasmus Højlund failed to establish himself under Amorim last season, Šeško’s signing is a breath of fresh air, and former United defender Rio Ferdinand has given some insight into how United’s new-look front three will make Premier League defensive lines feel.
“The mobility in the front areas now is something, as a defender, I’m looking at, and I’m thinking differently about Manchester United’s front line,” Ferdinand explained on social media.
“I’ll be seeing… they’re going, ‘I’m going to have a physical presence up there, I’m going to have a physical test from all three positions, and I’ve got people that can run and move up there’.
“They’re mobile. They’re the things I was asking for for the last couple of years up there, more of that, and you have to say the recruitment team have delivered. They’ve absolutely delivered in that department in terms of the mobility, the pace, the power.”
What’s next for United in the market?
With a new-look front three sorted, Ferdinand also questioned who United will sign next, with reports suggesting a goalkeeper and a midfielder are the club’s respective priorities.
United are looking to raise up to £90 million through the sales of Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho, although the former may be heading to AC Milan for a £5 million loan fee with the option to buy for £35 million next summer.
Beyond this, they still have Jadon Sancho, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia to offload, which would further boost potential funding for summer transfers.
In terms of potential arrivals, the club remain eager to sign Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and are still in contact with the 21-year-old’s representatives, though the South Coast side are demanding over £100 million for the Cameroon international.
They are also expected to hold further discussions with the representatives of Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is available for £26 million but would likely require a substantial salary package.
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