Nicky Butt feels Manchester United should have signed Ollie Watkins instead of Benjamin Sesko
Manchester United were in the market for a new striker during the 2025 summer transfer window. For a long time, Viktor Gyökeres appeared to be their top target, with new manager Ruben Amorim keen to reunite with his former Sporting CP forward. However, Arsenal made a strong push of their own, and the Swedish international ultimately chose the Emirates — despite reports that United had submitted a higher bid at the last minute. The Gunners sealed the deal, forcing United to shift their focus elsewhere.
Attention then turned to other options, and United eventually secured Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig. The deal is reportedly worth around £66.3 million guaranteed, potentially rising to £73.7 million with add-ons. The 22-year-old Slovenian international signed a five-year contract, arriving with an impressive record of 39 goals in 87 games for Leipzig, 21 of them in the previous season alone.
Notably, Newcastle United were also in the race, but Šeško ultimately chose Old Trafford. During the process, Ollie Watkins’ name was also linked, though no move ever materialised. Speaking to BetMGM (h/t Metro), about the signing, former United midfielder Nicky Butt voiced concern, suggesting that the club might have been wiser to opt for a more experienced striker instead.
Debate on trust in young striker:
Butt believes that by betting big on Sesko, United have taken the risk of repeating the same mistake that was made with Rasmus Hojlund. He said that a lack of experience in the Premier League can make it more difficult for a young player in difficult times. Butt clearly said that in such a situation, an option like Ollie Watkins would have been right, because he has proven himself and can reduce the pressure on the team’s young forwards if needed.
“I know [Matheus] Cunha has done really well over the last couple of seasons but I would really like an experienced striker.”
“I hope I’m wrong but I really hope they aren’t making the same mistakes with [Benjamin] Sesko as they did with Rasmus [Hojlund].”
“A young player coming in with no Premier League experience, it just feels like history repeating itself.”
“Honestly, for what it would have cost, I would have gone and brought in someone like Ollie Watkins, someone to help and pull the young strikers out of a bad patch.”
“When young players are just coming into the club, when the onus is on them to score goals, if they’re having a few bad games they have to have the safety net of being pulled out of the firing line.”
“Ollie Watkins, or someone like that, would be who I would have been looking to bring in.”
Were United right?
However, many fans and experts believe it is far too early to label this signing a mistake. Benjamin Šeško brings aerial strength, link-up play, and impressive pace for his size,qualities that United’s attack has long been missing. Paul Merson has argued that the onus will be on the midfield to bring the best out of Šeško at Old Trafford, and that view seems accurate given Ruben Amorim’s tactics, which rely heavily on forward movement. The 40-year-old manager’s system thrives on wide overloads and specific passing patterns, and Šeško could play a crucial role within that structure.
Losing Viktor Gyökeres to Arsenal was undoubtedly a blow, but the striker United signed arguably has even greater long-term potential. Comparisons with Ollie Watkins are fair, given his Premier League experience, but Šeško’s ceiling could prove to be higher if he develops as expected.
Patience will be key. If Šeško sharpens his finishing and decision-making in the final third, he could well become the striker United have been searching for. As Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink put it, Manchester United need to get Šeško firing to deliver results, a statement that perfectly reflects the expectations at Old Trafford.