Man Utd’s Sesko replacement identified as January emergency transfer looms

Analysis

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Manchester United have been rocked by the news that striker Benjamin Sesko faces another long injury layoff, leaving Michael Carrick’s squad desperately short of a natural centre-forward.

Marcus Rashford or Matheus Cunha could be asked to fill the role in the short term, but with Sesko facing up to four months on the sidelines, the lack of depth that United have in the No.9 role is set to be laid bare as the Red Devils’ difficult start to the season takes another unwelcome twist.

With Sesko potentially out until late February, The Sun reports that they are seeking an ‘emergency’ January reinforcement, and one option stands out as a suitable candidate to bolster the ranks of the club.

A 13-man Man Utd shortlist

United are likely to be in the market for a player of a similar mould to Sesko, whose finishing, passing and ball retention are his three best qualities, according to data analytics firm SciSports, which has recommended 13 players to the Red Devils as suitable replacements via its recruitment tool.

While many of these stars would be mouthwatering signings for Man Utd, the vast majority of their options are unattainable or unrealistic. The likes of Harry Kane, Alexander Isak and Joao Pedro may fit the mould of Sesko, but they will not be leaving their clubs in January, while others such as Ollie Watkins, Robert Lewandowski and Goncalo Ramos only completed moves in the summer.

The most realistic option for Man Utd to sign is Inter Milan’s Marcus Thuram, who is a powerhouse of a centre-forward and is currently second choice behind Lautaro Martinez at San Siro.

The 29-year-old has been in deadly goal-scoring form in Serie A this season, netting four times in six games, and finds himself currently starting as Lautaro is out with a hamstring problem.

In many ways, though, Thuram is an ideal option for Man Utd. He offers the same type of platform as Sesko in attack and is the type of experienced figure the former RB Leipzig star could learn from.

Indeed, Thuram is rated by SciSports as better than any current United player with a SciSkill of 118.4, which is based on hundreds of in-game data points.

Marcus Thuram: January deal tricky but not impossible

The mechanics of a January deal promise to be difficult. Inter are likely to be embroiled in a tight race for the Serie A title and will juggle these domestic duties with Champions League football.

The rise of Pio Esposito could benefit United, though. The 21-year-old is growing in prominence at Inter after scoring seven Serie A goals last season and has started regularly this term. With young Ivory Coast international Ange-Yoan Bonny also on the books of Inter, they are a club with strength in depth offensively, suggesting a deal might be negotiable at the right price.

Earlier this year, reports indicated that financial factors as well as the rise of Esposito and Bonny could prompt Thuram's sale, with Inter thought to be willing to negotiate around the €60 million mark.

This price, which is well above the France international’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €45.6m, shows that Inter are willing to do business but will not be pressed into a deal.

United have been slow to act in the transfer market in recent months, but Sesko’s latest setback has exposed a key weakness in the squad, and Thuram would neatly fit the bill as a replacement.

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