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MANCHESTER, August 9, 2025 — Manchester United have officially completed the signing of Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, in a blockbuster deal worth up to €85 million. The 22-year-old has penned a five-year contract with the 20-time English champions, making him the club’s third attacking acquisition of the summer as United look to rebound from their worst-ever Premier League finish.
Šeško’s arrival marks another significant statement of intent under head coach Rúben Amorim, who is gearing up for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford. With goals desperately lacking in 2024/25 — United ranked among the league’s lowest scorers and finished a dismal 15th, just three places clear of the relegation zone — the club has moved aggressively in the transfer market to rebuild its forward line.
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A Summer of Heavy Investment in Attack
The signing of Šeško follows the earlier arrivals of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, both proven Premier League performers. The combined outlay on the three forwards now exceeds €200 million, underlining United’s determination to fix last season’s most glaring weakness.
Last term, United’s top two centre-forwards, Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee, managed just 18 goals between them across all competitions. As a team, United lost 18 league games and finished with a record-low points tally of 42 — a nadir in the club’s modern history.
Amorim’s mandate is clear: make United an attacking force again. The Portuguese coach has already implemented an aggressive, front-foot style during pre-season, and Šeško’s profile suggests he will be a central figure in this evolution.
Why Benjamin Šeško?
Standing at 1.95 metres (6ft 5in), Šeško has inevitably drawn comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimović, a former United and Paris Saint-Germain striker known for his blend of physical dominance and technical flair. The Slovenian has showcased similar attributes — the ability to score from range, execute acrobatic finishes, and dominate in the air — making him a potential nightmare for Premier League defences.
Despite his towering frame, Šeško is far from a traditional target man. He is mobile, intelligent in his movement, and capable of linking play in deeper positions. At Leipzig, he often drifted wide or dropped between the lines, creating space for onrushing midfielders and wingers.
A Solid Record in Europe — But Questions Remain
Since joining Leipzig in 2023 from Red Bull Salzburg, Šeško has posted steady, if not spectacular, numbers. He netted 14 goals in his debut Bundesliga campaign and followed up with 13 goals last season. In the Champions League, he has scored six goals in 28 appearances across his time with both Leipzig and Salzburg.
On the international stage, Šeško has been prolific for Slovenia, recording 16 goals in 41 appearances. His performances during the Euro 2024 qualifiers and group stage — where Slovenia progressed to the knockout rounds — further enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers.
However, critics point out that Šeško remains unproven in England’s physically intense and tactically demanding Premier League. His adaptation will be a key storyline in the coming months, especially as United have invested heavily in a player whose Bundesliga scoring record has yet to reach elite levels.
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United’s Attacking Trio: A New Era
In contrast to Šeško’s relative inexperience in England, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha are battle-hardened Premier League forwards.
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Bryan Mbeumo: Coming off a career-best season at Brentford, where he scored 20 league goals, Mbeumo was behind only Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Erling Haaland in the scoring charts. His versatility — capable of playing wide or centrally — offers Amorim multiple tactical options.
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Matheus Cunha: The Brazilian netted 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season, proving crucial in their successful fight against relegation. His dribbling, work rate, and creativity make him an ideal partner for a target forward like Šeško.
Together with Šeško, United now have a front line capable of mixing power, pace, and technical ability — attributes sorely lacking in last season’s blunt attack.
Amorim’s Vision for the New Manchester United
Manager Rúben Amorim, appointed in April 2025, is known for his fluid attacking systems and reliance on mobile, multifunctional forwards. His Sporting CP sides in Portugal played with relentless pressing and quick transitions — an approach he has already begun to instil at United.
Šeško’s combination of height and agility fits this blueprint. He can lead the line in a traditional No. 9 role, but also has the mobility to press from the front and participate in combination play. Amorim is expected to use him not just as a finisher, but as a focal point to bring runners like Mbeumo, Cunha, and midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo into dangerous positions.
Speaking upon signing, Šeško expressed excitement about the club’s direction:
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A Deal with High Stakes
The €85 million fee — which includes performance-related add-ons — makes Šeško one of the most expensive signings in United’s history. It’s a bold move considering other strikers were also linked to the club this summer, including Liam Delap (Manchester City), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP), and Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa).
Ultimately, United’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Dan Ashworth, decided Šeško offered the right blend of long-term potential and immediate impact. At 22, he could spearhead United’s attack for years to come, provided he adapts quickly to the Premier League.
The Zlatan Comparison — Fair or Premature?
While it’s tempting to liken Šeško to Ibrahimović due to their shared stature and technical skill, the Slovenian’s game is still developing. Ibrahimović arrived at United in 2016 as a fully formed global superstar; Šeško is still refining his finishing consistency and tactical understanding.
Yet the comparison is not without merit. Both are capable of scoring highlight-reel goals, both excel in aerial duels, and both possess a certain swagger that can lift a dressing room. If Šeško can add Ibrahimović’s ruthlessness to his skill set, United may have found the centre-forward they’ve been searching for since the Swede’s departure.
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A Club in Transition
United’s rebuild is not limited to the attack. The club has also targeted reinforcements in midfield and defence, with deals reportedly close for a new central midfielder and right-back. But the priority this summer was always to address the lack of goals that haunted last season.
With the arrival of Šeško, Mbeumo, and Cunha, United now have multiple options to rotate and adapt against different opponents. Depth will be crucial as the team aims to compete on multiple fronts, including the domestic cups and a return to European competition.
Fan and Media Reaction
The signing has sparked a wave of excitement among the United fanbase. Supporters on social media have shared highlights of Šeško’s acrobatic finishes and towering headers, hailing him as the kind of striker who can restore United’s fear factor. Others, more cautious, have pointed to the adaptation challenges faced by several Bundesliga imports in recent years.
Media reaction has been similarly mixed. Some pundits have praised the ambition of the deal, noting that United have beaten off competition from several top European clubs for Šeško’s signature. Others question whether spending such a large sum on an unproven Premier League striker is wise, particularly given the club’s recent track record with big-money signings.
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The Road Ahead
Šeško is expected to make his debut in United’s opening Premier League fixture next weekend. All eyes will be on how quickly he forms chemistry with Mbeumo and Cunha — and whether this new-look attack can deliver the goals that have been sorely missing.
For Rúben Amorim, the equation is straightforward: if United can significantly boost their scoring output, they can climb back into contention for European places and, in time, challenge for titles again. The signing of Benjamin Šeško is the first major step toward that goal.
Whether the €85 million gamble pays off remains to be seen. But for now, Manchester United fans can dare to dream of a future where Old Trafford once again witnesses the kind of attacking football that has defined the club’s greatest eras.
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