Former Man United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Benjamin Sesko would be a success at Man United.Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Benjamin Sesko.(Image: Piermarco Tacca – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images.)
Former centre-back Rio Ferdinand believes Benjamin Sesko will be capable of making his mark at Manchester United – but has warned him he will have to make a fast start.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News on Wednesday, United are confident of winning the race for the RB Leipzig striker’s signature amid interest from Premier League counterparts Newcastle United.
The Reds have been desperate to sign a striker throughout the summer and have now identified Sesko, who scored 21 goals last season, as their top target. They have submitted an opening bid worth £65.3million plus £8.7m in add-ons.
Sesko, 22, is understood to be keen on a move to Old Trafford, meaning that could see United inch ahead of Newcastle in the race for his signature.
Some United supporters and other football figures have expressed concerns about his inexperience and track record in front of goal, suggesting the club should go for a striker with a more established record, but Ferdinand is confident he will be able to deliver the goods.
“Yes, it’s a different league, it’s the Bundesliga, but he does play international football as well, he scores in international football and he knows where the net is,” said the former defender on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“A lot of people are going to go and suggest, ‘Oh, has he got the experience?’, and I was one of those guys in that camp going, ‘Do you know what? Where is the player that can actually show the young, inexperienced strikers that we have at the club how to do things? In times of need, who do they look to?’
“He’s going to have to step up and be that guy. Can he do it? Yes, he can do it, he’s got huge potential.
“But one of things, as we’ve seen in recent years, our strikers, when they come in the door here, you’re not afforded a lot of time, there isn’t a great amount of patience and you’ve got to hit the ground running.”
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