Manchester United striker search: Would Ollie Watkins or Benjamin Sesko be the right fit at Old Trafford

Manchester United entered the summer transfer window with a clear need for a striker, following a disappointing Premier League campaign in which Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee managed just seven league goals between them.

The arrival of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo - who scored 15 and 20 league goals respectively for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brentford last term - should ease the burden on the Man Utd frontline, but the pursuit of a reliable and consistent goalscorer to lead the attack remains a top priority at Old Trafford.

Recent reports have stated that Ollie Watkins and Benjamin Sesko have emerged as the club's primary targets to address the striker position, but they represent very different profiles in terms of age, cost and playing style.

With that in mind, Sports Mole takes a look at whether Watkins or Sesko would be the right fit for the Red Devils.

Ollie Watkins: Premier League Proven

Watkins offers a proven Premier League option, having consistently demonstrated his pedigree at the highest level since joining Aston Villa in the 2020 summer transfer window.

The striker has scored double figure goals in each of his five campaigns in the Premier League, including three consecutive seasons with 15+ strikes - netting 15 in 2022-23, 19 in 2023-24 and 16 in 2024-25.

Watkins not only offers proven goalscoring ability in the Premier League, but the forward also thrives in combining with fellow attacking players, highlighted by registering 21 assists in the league over the last two seasons, and this could prove perfect for a Man Utd attack that has just added Cunha and Mbeumo to its ranks.

The Englishman is able to stretch opposition defences with incisive runs thanks to his impressive speed, which would allow the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Cunha to have more space in possession, while he can also rotate wide or drop into deeper positions, allowing runners such as Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to take more central positions and get in behind opposition defences.

Moreover, his relentless work rate and willingness to press opponents aligns well with the demands that Ruben Amorim places on his forward players, reinforcing his suitability within the Manchester United squad.

Watkins would be signed with the intention to make an immediate impact, especially as he is firmly in his prime years at 29 years old, but with Aston Villa reportedly wanting £60m for the striker, Man Utd may be hesitant to spend such a significant sum on a player who provides limited long-term upside.

Benjamin Sesko: Potential and Promise

At the opposite end of the spectrum, at just 21 years old, Sesko stands out thanks to his immense potential and long-term promise.

Sesko may not offer the same proven Premier League goalscoring pedigree as Watkins, but the striker has still netted 27 Bundesliga goals over the last two seasons, along with 39 goals in his last 87 appearances across all competitions during that period.

The forward's physicality is arguably his standout attribute, standing at 6'4" and boasting blistering pace, while he also has impressive technical skills that still have plenty of room for improvement given his age profile.

Sesko may not be able to combine attacks to the same level as Watkins, but given his frame and stature, the striker is capable of being a natural target man that can hold the ball up and play simple passes back to more creative players, which could allow Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo and others to thrive.

Furthermore, Sesko is at his best when driving forward with or without the ball thanks to his pace and power, while he boasts an impressive catalogue of goals, from close-range finishes to powerful strikes from outside the box.

The Slovenian may offer huge potential, but Man Utd may be wary of spending such a considerable fee - with RB Leipzig reportedly demanding in excess of £70m - on another prospect given the struggles of Hojlund since his big money move from Atalanta.

However, the Red Devils may be more willing to break the bank for a striker that could develop into one of the world's best forwards, while he could lead the line for the best part of a decade.

Should Man Utd sign Watkins or Sesko?

The choice between Watkins or Sesko ultimately hinges on whether Manchester United prioritise a Premier League proven striker who would almost certainly make an immediate impact, or prefer to take the potential risk on a younger talent who could offer significant long-term reward for a similar price.

Watkins would be a seamless fit into the Man Utd frontline, especially given his previous relationship with Mbeumo at Brentford, while Sesko has all the attributes to develop into a much more complete forward than the Englishman, but may require patience to allow for the forward to adapt to the league.

Sesko would make more sense for the steep outlay, as the 21-year-old could lead the line for years to come and become the spearhead for the latest Manchester United rebuild, and reports are suggesting the Red Devils are favouring a move for Sesko, largely driven by recruitment director Christopher Vivell - who is credited for scouting the striker for Red Bull Salzburg at just 16.