Ruben Amorim has tipped Benjamin Sesko to trouble Premier League defenders, insisting Manchester United’s latest signing is primed for their league opener against Arsenal on Sunday.
Sesko completed a high-profile switch from RB Leipzig to Old Trafford last Saturday in a deal worth up to £73.7 million ($99 million).
The 22-year-old Slovenian forward, renowned for his clinical finishing and imposing presence, is set to lead Amorim’s mission to rejuvenate United following their worst campaign since 1973-74.
He could line up alongside fellow summer recruits Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in an overhauled United attack when Arsenal visit Old Trafford this weekend.
“He can play different types of football,” Amorim told reporters on Friday. “He is going to learn but he has a great potential and I can see Ben being a striker for Manchester United for a lot of years. That’s why we paid so much money to have a striker that will have his history in our club.”
When asked if Sesko would start on Sunday, the United boss replied: “We didn’t have a lot of time but he’s ready. Physically, he’s ready. That is a big component in our league. Then, he’s really smart. Every detail that he asks, he’s a guy that is always thinking. He spends all afternoon here working on his fitness, so he’s ready to play. We will see if he’s going to start.”
Sesko, who netted 21 goals for Leipzig last season, has quickly made an impression at United’s revamped Carrington training base. Amorim praised his professionalism, saying: “He’s one guy who stays here, has lunch, and goes to the medical department, does the stretching. He is always thinking about football. He’s really obsessed about that and that is a good thing because you don’t have to think about that aspect with that young guy. I don’t need to tell Ben, ‘Ben, this is Manchester United, a lot of pressure, you have to perform, you need to be ready for the physicality, we need to be ready, every game is like do or die’.”
The arrival of Sesko has inevitably reignited speculation surrounding the future of Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund, who has been linked with a possible move to AC Milan just two years after joining from Atalanta.
“He is one more option,” Amorim said. “We will see. We are focused on this game and Rasmus is still our player.”
