Rio Ferdinand dramatically changes tune on Sesko as Man United snap him up | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has made a U-turn on RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko, who is closing in on completing a switch to Old Trafford.

United agree deal with Leipzig

After wrapping up a deal for Bryan Mbeumo, United turned their attention to signing a striker, promptly identifying Sesko as their top transfer target for the position.

United settled on Sesko from a two-man shortlist that also included Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

Unlike with Watkins, where United seemingly had a clear path, the Red Devils encountered strong competition from Newcastle in the pursuit of Sesko. The Magpies lodged two bids for Sesko, the latest one valuing him at €90m.

Ruben Amorim’s side sent in a slightly lower offer and even presented Sesko with lower wages than Newcastle were willing to give him. Earlier on Thursday, news broke that United had found a breakthrough as they struck an agreement with Leipzig for the Slovenian.

Sesko instantly boarded a jet to England and pictures have since surfaced of him in Manchester as he looks to finalise his move.

A week ago, Ferdinand weighed in on the Sesko vs. Watkins debate and didn’t mince his words as he made it clear that United would be better off if they pursued Watkins.

Ferdinand argued that Sesko would be a big risk signing, unlike Watkins, who is already familiar with the dynamics of the Premier League and would hit the ground running from the first day.

However, the six-time Premier League has now changed tune, emphasising that Sesko has what it takes to thrive at United.

Ferdinand’s latest stance on Sesko

Speaking on his Rio Presents YouTube channel, Ferdinand explained, “Wow. Huge money, £70m being spent.”

“Listen, he’s a young guy, been at Leipzig, playing, scoring goals. Last season, he played 45 games and scored 21 goals, six assists, so the guy knows where the back of the net is. That’s almost one goal every two games.”

“Yes, it’s a different league, it’s the Bundesliga, but he does play international football as well, he scores in international football and he knows where the net is.”

The former defender continued, “A lot of people are going to go and suggest, ‘Oh, has he got the experience?’, and I was one of those guys in that camp going, ‘Do you know what? Where is the player that can show the young, inexperienced strikers that we have at the club how to do things? In times of need, who do they look to?’”

“He’s going to have to step up and be that guy. Can he do it? Yes, he can do it, he’s got huge potential. But one of the things, as we’ve seen in recent years, our strikers, when they come in the door here, you’re not afforded a lot of time, there ain’t a great amount of patience and you’ve got to hit the ground running.”

Ferdinand gives his verdict on United’s new-look attack

Sesko is likely to be a mainstay in a new-look United attacking line also consisting of fellow arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Cunha and Mbeumo have already tasted minutes with United during the pre-season tour and have certainly looked the part.

Ferdinand said about the trio, “What I would say is Manchester United scored 44 goals last season. They’ve now invested in three strikers at the top of the pitch that have between them 48 goals last season, so that’s four more than the whole Manchester United squad got last year so that’s a huge improvement in that sense.”

“Two of those guys have played in the Premier League and scored goals here. Sesko, now, has to go and transform his form, his goals, his menacing play, at times, into the Premier League and that’s the big question.”

“What I would say is not only are the goals a step up, but I would say the mobility in the front areas now is something, as a defender, I’m looking at now and I’m thinking differently about Manchester United’s frontline.”

“I’m going to have a physical presence up there and 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 over the last couple of years up there so more of that.”

Ferdinand noted that United’s recruitment team deserve a lot of praise for transforming Ruben Amorim’s attacking department after a goal-shy 2024/25 campaign.

Featured image Maja Hitij via Getty Images

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