Benjamin Sesko can give Manchester United something they haven't had for eight years vs Arsenal

Benjamin Sesko can give Manchester United something they haven't had for eight years vs Arsenal

Man United will be hoping to make a flying start to the new Premier League campaign when they face Arsenal on Sunday.

Benjamin Sesko is set to make his debut this weekend. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)

There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes and Manchester United being at home on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

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For the ninth season running, United will get their Premier League campaign under way on home soil when they welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

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There is a feeling of fresh optimism sweeping its way through the surrounding streets of Old Trafford after a positive summer. Pre-season performances were encouraging and United's work in the transfer market has attracted plenty of credit.

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After finishing last season with a negative goal difference of -10 in the Premier League, United had no choice but to prioritise attacking signings this summer, and they have done just that.

After signing Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo prior to their pre-season tour of the United States, United added perhaps the most important piece to their jigsaw last weekend, signing Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

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The Slovenian international's arrival at Old Trafford has finally brought an end to United's search for a striker. After missing out on Liam Delap, learning that Viktor Gyokeres had his heart set on a move to Arsenal and being informed Aston Villa had no interest in letting go of Ollie Watkins, United decided Sesko was their man.

The 22-year-old has joined the club on the back of a 21-goal haul for Leipzig last season. He joined the German outfit from sister club Red Bull Salzburg in 2023 and scored 39 goals in 87 games.

Having been linked with several big-name European clubs over the last few years, Sesko has developed a reputation as being one of the game's most highly-rated strikers.

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"Benjamin possesses a rare combination of electrifying pace and the ability to physically dominate defenders, making him one of the most exceptional young talents in world football," United director of football Jason Wilcox said.

Manchester United have high hopes for Benjamin Sesko (right). (Image: Manchester United/Manchester United via Getty Images.)

"We have followed Benjamin's career closely; all of our data analysis and research concluded that he has the required qualities and personality to thrive at Manchester United.

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"Working under the guidance of Ruben [Amorim] and our excellent performance team, Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his world-class potential."

After being introduced to the crowd and watching last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Fiorentina from the stands, Sesko is in line to make his United debut against Arsenal this weekend. With Rasmus Hojlund being overlooked by two attacking-midfielders to lead United's attack for their final two pre-season friendlies, there is a strong likelihood Sesko will make his debut from the start.

The No.9 position at Old Trafford is one of the most scrutinised positions in world football, and United have not had a figure befitting of that berth for a number of years. Here's hoping Sesko can make his mark.

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If Amorim decides to throw Sesko into the starting line-up at the first available opportunity, no United fan is likely to turn their nose up at the prospect of seeing him alongside Cunha and Mbeumo for the first time.

Despite winning six of their last eight opening day fixtures, United have often lacked an out-and-out striker at the top end of the pitch. For example, Bruno Fernandes led the attack for last season's 1-0 win over Fulham, Marcus Rashford, who prefers to play on the left, got the nod for the slender win over Wolves in 2023 and Christian Eriksen was deployed as a false nine for the 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion for Erik ten Hag's first game in charge in 2022.

Christian Eriksen made his Manchester United debut as a makeshift striker in August 2022. (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)

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Prior to that, Mason Greenwood, Anthony Martial and Rashford again were all tasked with spearheading United's attack for a season opener. It is hard to make a case to describe any member of that trio as a true out-and-out striker amid their capabilities out wide.

The last time United started a Premier League season with a proper centre-forward at the tip of their attack was when Romelu Lukaku was given his debut in 2017, fresh from arriving from Everton. He marked the occasion with a brace to help United beat West Ham United 4-0.

Just the presence of having a new centre-forward at the tip of United's attack could offer a huge psychological boost, particularly when Sesko is expected to link up with two fellow new attackers.

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There are no guarantees Sesko will hit the ground running in the same way Lukaku did, but it's important for United to have the right jigsaw piece up front.

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