Benjamin Sesko was unveiled to a raucous cheer at Old Trafford on Saturday while fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund warmed the Manchester United bench, and the Dane’s absence said it all
Ruben Amorim’s benching of Rasmus Hojund against Fiorentina and pre-match comment about new striker Benjamin Sesko’s “characteristics” indicate the Dane is likely not in his plans. Sesko was unveiled to Manchester United supporters before their final pre-season friendly.
The Red Devils have a new star striker in Sesko, whose £74million move from RB Leipzig was officially announced on Saturday. Such a recruitment already spelt danger for Hojlund, whose £72m transfer from Atalanta in 2023 simply hasn’t borne rich enough fruit.
But on the same day the 22-year-old Slovenian was introduced, Amorim’s true colours were on show with his team selection for the pre-season clash against Fiorentina. Sesko was not eligible to feature, but that didn’t stop the Portuguese coach from dropping Hojlund in favour of Mason Mount, who occupied a false-nine position, and making a telling pre-match admission.
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Before the match against Fiorentina, which ended in a 1-1 draw, Amorim was asked about Sesko, and told MUTV: “He has the characteristics that we needed. Ben is a player that, with all the information that we have, we need to stop the guy from working – it is not the opposite! That is also important.
“He is really young, he is good in the air, he is good running the channels and he is good on the ball, so I think he has great potential,” he continued.
“I think he can improve a lot. For sure, he is going to feel at home in our club. He is the right character in this group so we are really, really happy to have him.”
Stating that Sesko will bring the ‘characteristics that United need’ implies that £72m man Hojlund does not hold such traits, and so even before the game began, the writing was on the wall for the Dane.
Opting for Mount, who has primarily been used as a midfielder or rarely out wide under Amorim, in a false nine position just added to the hints that Hojlund is not part of the manager’s plans now that a striker with a more suited character has arrived.
Even before a deal for Sesko was completed, Hojlund had been linked with a move away from Old Trafford, despite declaring at the beginning of pre-season that he would stay and fight for his place regardless of who touches down to challenge him.
Alas, talkSPORT reports that Hojlund has now come to terms with the idea that his days in Manchester are numbered, and he is now more receptive to leaving.
AC Milan are one side who have shown interest, as well as Sesko’s old employers, RB Leipzig, though United will not recoup the entirety of the fee paid for Hojlund just two seasons ago.
It is thought that an asking price of around £40m would be enough to secure the 22-year-old’s services, though £30m has also been mooted.
With not only Sesko, but Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo recruited this summer to the tune of over £200m, Amorim’s actions on Saturday seem to be the final nail in Hojlund’s coffin.
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