Former Manchester United star Teddy Sheringham has delivered a stark assessment of the club's striking options, urging them to cut their losses on the Ruben Amorim-era signing of Benjamin Sesko and instead pursue a move for Harry Kane this summer.
Sheringham's Verdict on Sesko's Struggles
The Red Devils invested a substantial £74 million to secure the services of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last summer, a move sanctioned during Ruben Amorim's tenure as manager. However, the Slovenian international has endured a challenging adaptation period at Old Trafford, managing just five Premier League goals across nineteen appearances. His most recent contribution was a decisive strike in the victory against Fulham, but this has done little to alter the broader narrative surrounding his impact.
Teddy Sheringham, speaking in an interview with MrQ, expressed a measured appreciation for Sesko's recent performances, particularly highlighting his display against Leeds United. "I've quite liked Benjamin Sesko recently," Sheringham noted. "I thought he played very well against Leeds in particular, linking up the play. He's scored a couple of goals recently too, but he's a young lad still learning his game."
The Gap Between Potential and Immediate Need
Sheringham was quick to delineate the significant chasm between developing talent and the immediate demands placed on a Manchester United centre-forward. He emphasised that performing for an average Premier League side is fundamentally different from leading the line for a club with title aspirations. "There is a big difference between a young lad enjoying his game for an average Premier League team and then going in at Manchester United and being expected to lead the line for a top club and challenging for honours," he stated.
While acknowledging Sesko's potential for future growth, Sheringham was unequivocal about the club's present requirements. "He's still finding his game, and I believe he will become a good player. But someone who is still learning like Sesko is, it's not what Manchester United need. They need the finished article in there," he asserted.
A Call for Proven Quality in Harry Kane
The former England international believes the solution lies in finally securing the signature of Harry Kane, a player he feels the club should have pursued years ago. Sheringham pointed to the club's previous strategy of opting for less expensive alternatives, such as Rasmus Hojlund and now Sesko, as a flawed approach. "You can see what you end up with when you go down that route," he argued. "You end up with someone who is just an okay player, rather than a top player leading the line."
Sheringham's recommendation comes as Kane continues a phenomenal individual campaign with Bayern Munich. The England captain has netted an impressive thirty-six goals in just thirty-two appearances this season, underscoring the calibre of proven goalscorer Sheringham believes United desperately require. "For me, they should do something that they should have done years ago and bring in Harry Kane," Sheringham concluded, framing the potential signing as a necessary correction of past transfer market errors.
Looking Ahead to the Summer Window
With a significant portion of the season remaining, Sheringham suggested that Sesko will have further opportunities to impress under current management, even if he is not a regular starter. The experience of being within the club's environment could prove educational for the young striker. However, the overarching message from the United legend is clear: patience with developing talent is a luxury the club cannot afford if they aim to compete for major honours immediately. The summer transfer window, therefore, presents a critical juncture for the club's hierarchy to heed this advice and secure a world-class, established striker to spearhead their attack.
