Ruben Amorim believes Benjamin Sesko has “the right character” for the manager’s overhaul of his Manchester United forward line after the RB Leipzig striker signed a five-year deal worth up to £73.7m.
Sesko passed his medical at Old Trafford on Saturday morning and was introduced before the pre-season their friendly against Fiorentina. United are paying Leipzig €76.5m (£66.3m) plus a potential €8.5m (£7.4m) in add-ons for their fourth major signing of the summer.
Amorim said: “He has the characteristics that we needed. 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. 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.”
The 22-year-old said: “The history of Manchester United is obviously very special, but what really excites me is the future. When we discussed the project, it was clear that everything is in place for this team to continue to grow and compete for the biggest trophies again soon.
“From the moment that I arrived, I could feel the positive energy and family environment that the club has created. It is clearly the perfect place to reach my maximum level and fulfil all of my ambitions. I can not wait to start learning from Ruben and connecting with my teammates to achieve the success that we all know we are capable of together.”
The Slovenia international scored 13 times in the Bundesliga last season and is one of Europe’s most coveted young strikers. Sesko’s arrival takes United’s spending to around £214m after the signings of Matheus Cunha, Diego León and Bryan Mbeumo. Sesko is expected to be the fulcrum of an attacking trident, alongside Cunha and Mbeumo.
Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football, said: “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.
“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. Working under the guidance of Ruben and our excellent performance team, Benjamin is joining the perfect environment to support him to reach his world-class potential.”
Sesko had been among Newcastle’s summer transfer targets, making a higher offer in transfer fee and wages, only for the player to say Old Trafford was his preferred move.
Newcastle’s failure to land potential signings – they have recruited Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale but have missed out on Hugo Ekitiké, Sesko, James Trafford and João Pedro – has prompted suggestions that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which owns an 85% stake, is not as engaged as it once was. The club’s manager, Eddie Howe, strongly rejects such speculation but has admitted the Isak situation has unsettled his squad.
He said: “The owners are very much engaged, as much as they always have been. This has been a challenging period where there’ll be a lot of different opinions on different subjects, but can assure everybody connected with Newcastle that the owners are very much behind the project and fighting every day for the club.”
Sesko moved to RB Salzburg as a teenager from Domzale in Slovenia. He spent two seasons, scoring 22 goals in 44 appearances, on loan at Liefering, Salzburg’s second-tier team.
In Saturday’s final friendly before the Premier League campaign gets under way, Amorim’s side ended an unbeaten pre-season with a 1-1 draw and shootout win over Fiorentina.
