Manchester United Striker Woes Continue: The Search for the Perfect No.9
Manchester United invested £74 million in Benjamin Sesko, but Red Devils legend Teddy Sheringham believes he's not the striker they need. With Harry Kane's transfer failure haunting them, the club is still on the hunt for a reliable No.9. Find out more about the ongoing striker dilemma at Old Trafford.

Manchester United have been told that Benjamin Sesko is not the striker that they need right now, despite investing £74 million ($100m) in the Slovenia international. Red Devils legend Teddy Sheringham has told GOAL why Harry Kane should have been taken to Old Trafford several years ago, with Premier League heavyweights still crying out for a reliable and proven No.9.Several options have been tried in that role across recent seasons, from Romelu Lukaku to Rasmus Hojlund via Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial. None have really looked up to the job, with big money being invested without seeing much of a return.Faith was placed in Sesko during the summer of 2025, as the 22-year-old forward became the latest man to be charged with the task of leading the line and delivering on the expectations of a fan base that is crying out for tangible success.Sesko has only recorded five goals through 19 appearances, and 1999 Treble winner Sheringham - speaking in association with Mr Q - has told GOAL of why more recruitment questions need to be asked in Manchester. He said: “I’ve quite liked Benjamin Sesko recently. I thought he played very well at Leeds, linking play up. He scored a couple of goals recently. But he is a young lad, still learning his game. There is a big difference between a young lad enjoying his game for an average Premier League team and then going in at Man United and being expected to lead the line for a top club and challenging for honours. He’s still finding his game. I believe he will be a good player. It’s not what Man United need at the moment, someone learning, they need the finished article in there.”Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Another ex-United striker, Louis Saha, has said of Sesko needing to take inspiration from an enigmatic Swede that once filled the Red Devils’ No.9 jersey: “That's basically it, Benjamin Sesko is like a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic and he needs to grow the same way. Ibrahimovic was well known to work really hard, whether on or off the field. So Sesko has to do the same. He has to have that passion to believe that he's going to create some amazing moments for the fans, and have this arrogance to express it.“Some things are going to come off, some not, and you have to accept it. The Ibrahimovic style is definitely that. It's about having that confidence in every match, Sesko needs to inspire himself. “I think he has the quality. Technically, we have all seen that he is capable of doing a lot of things. Ibrahimovic was a terrific player and managed to be very, very consistent all through his career. That is the type of aura Sesko needs to express.”Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingIt could be that United are forced back into the market for another striker during the summer of 2026, with speculation regarding supposed interest in Nigeria international Victor Osimhen surfacing again.He is a proven finisher and has seen a Premier League transfer mooted for some time. Quizzed on whether the current Galatasaray goal-getter is worth a punt, Sheringham added: “Maybe. There is still a long time between now and the end of the season. Sesko will get his chance again. I know Michael [Carrick] dropped him, but he will - by watching and being around the football club - learn about what it takes to be a centre-forward for Manchester United. I hope they stick with him. I think he’s a talented boy and has got something about him. “But, they need results now, as ever at Manchester United. They need results. If they need to bring in someone else that is a proven goalscorer, for me they should have done it years ago by bringing in Harry Kane, three years ago, but they didn’t. They went down the slightly less expensive route in Hojlund and you see what you end up with, you end up with an okay player rather than a top player leading the line.”Kane is now rewriting the history books at Bayern Munich, where his trophy duck has been broken, while Denmark international Hojlund is taking in a loan spell at Serie A champions Napoli. It remains to be seen what approach United will take when it comes to answering the questions that their central striking berth continues to pose.
Striking Woes at Manchester United
Manchester United's struggle to find a top-class striker continues, with Benjamin Sesko failing to meet the high expectations placed upon him. Despite glimpses of potential, the young forward is still a work in progress according to Red Devils legend Teddy Sheringham.
The Harry Kane Transfer Saga
Teddy Sheringham reminisces on the missed opportunity of signing Harry Kane, a proven goalscorer who could have made a significant impact at Old Trafford. With Kane flourishing at Bayern Munich, Manchester United are left to rue their decision to not secure his services earlier.
The Ibrahimovic Influence on Sesko
Louis Saha draws parallels between Benjamin Sesko and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, emphasizing the need for Sesko to emulate the legendary striker's work ethic and self-belief. Sesko is urged to channel his inner Ibrahimovic to unlock his full potential and become a consistent performer for Manchester United.
Potential Transfer Targets
Amidst Sesko's struggles, speculation surrounds the potential acquisition of Victor Osimhen as a solution to United's striking woes. Sheringham remains cautious yet hopeful about Sesko's development and suggests that the club might need to delve into the transfer market for a proven goalscorer in the upcoming summer transfer window.
















