Man Utd pick €50m Sesko replacement as serious blow confirmed

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Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Manchester United are ready to step up their chase for a striker in the January transfer market after it was confirmed that Bejamin Sesko will be out for longer than initially expected with his latest injury.

The Red Devils went into the season light in attack, despite Sesko suffering from a shin injury in the summer, and are seeking an additional reinforcement following a report that indicates the 23-year-old has suffered a relapse and will be sidelined until 2027.

With no obvious cover for the No.9 role, United are ready to dip into the transfer market, with prolific Club Brugge striker Nicolo Tresoldi one of four players on their signing shortlist.

Benjamin Sesko injury latest: United hitman faces prolonged absence

Sesko will be out until ‘at least’ January with his latest shin problem, having had his situation investigated by specialists, The Athletic reports.

Rest will be central to the recovery of the Slovenia international, who has played only six times for United this season, including only two starts.

The problem began last season when the striker took a kick to his shin. He played on but a collision with Liverpool’s Ibrahim Konate saw him miss the final three games of the season.

United are confident that the issue is not a chronic one that will impact his career, but their goal is to make sure that when he comes back, he does so at full capacity and that there is ‘next to no chance of a setback’.

This is another sizeable blow to under-pressure manager Michael Carrick, who will take charge of United for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea – a match that could be his last in charge of the club.

Man Utd’s striking options are thin on the ground, with no natural No.9 to replace Sesko in the first-team squad. Marcus Rashford is doubtful, leaving Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Joshua Zirkzee the leading candidates for the role.

Man Utd target Tresoldi: Why Red Devils can land much-wanted striker

In the medium term, United are ready to dip into the transfer market in January to solve their striker issue, providing Sesko with some much-needed cover even if his return takes place more promptly than expected.

Tresoldi has been in prolific form for Brugge, scoring three hat-tricks in October alone and attracting the attention of many of Europe’s biggest clubs.

United, though, look a strong fit for Tresoldi. SciSports gives the Red Devils a Club Fit score of 82, ranking a move to Old Trafford as his second-best career choice behind only Bayern Munich.

Armed with the ability to offer Tresoldi regular football while Sesko is recovering, United would appear to have a strong argument to winning the race to the Germany U21 international’s signature. A transfer is expected to cost in the region of €50 million.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace), Igor Matanovic (Freiburg) and Dion Beljo (Dinamo Zagreb) are the other players they are reported to have shortlisted.