Rio Ferdinand has advised his old team Manchester United to avoid signing RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko, claiming the money would be better spent on a Brighton star.
Sesko, 22, has attracted a wealth of interest from top clubs this summer and has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim’s side struggling for goals in all competitions last season.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for a dismal seven Premier League goals, part of a multitude of problems which led to Manchester United enduring their worst ever finish of 15th in the division.
As a result, the Red Devils have bolstered their attack with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for £62.5million and £71m respectively, although neither operated as a No 9, where Sesko plays, at former clubs Wolves and Brentford.
Confident that Man United should not sign Sesko, who is also on the radars of both Arsenal and Newcastle, Ferdinand suggested his old club would be wiser to invest money elsewhere, questioning the Slovenian’s experience.
‘I think you’ve got to look at the here and now at the moment with Man United. That’s what I said about a No 9,’ Ferdinand admitted on his YouTube channel.
‘I’m not really doubting [Sesko] as a player. I’m saying Man United need experience at the top of the pitch.
‘They’ve got Hojlund, they’ve got Zirkzee, they’ve got Chido. Young, inexperienced players. They need someone to look at and go, “That’s how you play as a No 9. That’s how you do it.”
‘When you’re going to buy somebody who hasn’t got as much experience as I’d like, I think that’s another risk. Is it worth taking with inexperienced players at this level?’
Ferdinand went on to suggest that Aston Villa hitman Ollie Watkins, who has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, would fit the mould of a player with proven Premier League experience.
But the former England defender admitted he would be equally happy to invest the money into United’s engine room.
‘If I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield,’ he continued. ‘There’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’ve got to be honest, who I think fits the bill for what we need.
‘An Amorim-type player as well. Physically great, can drive with the ball, can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, centre midfield. (Carlos) Baleba.
‘That’s who I go and get. That’s my man. That’s the one I go and get. I go and break the bank. So if I got the money for the four players that are surplus to requirements now, would I get a No 9 or would I get Baleba?
‘Would I get a No 9 I’m not sure about, who’s a bit young, inexperienced, or would I get Baleba with Premier League experience and know what he can do here? I’m going Baleba, sorry. I’m going to go with Baleba.
‘I think he’ll have a huge impact on this squad, on this team. You free up a few people in that midfield area as well to have a little less responsibility defensively because I think he’s all-action. He can do it all.’
The 21-year-old midfielder, who joined Brighton from French outfit Lille for a fee in the region of £26m in 2023, played 34 games for the Seagulls last term, impressing with his development as a young player.
