VIKTOR GYOKERES will be playing at Old Trafford on Sunday – and many expected it would be his permanent home this summer.
Ever since Ruben Amorim’s appointment was confirmed at Manchester United back in the autumn, the Swede was linked to the Red Devils.
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And that only heated up as the Portuguese boss struggled to get goals from his team over the final months of last season.
Amorim’s admiration for his former Sporting Lisbon striker has always been clear – but United’s interest in him never really got off the ground.
Word came back early on that Gyokeres had set his heart on a move to Arsenal this summer so United switched their attention elsewhere.
Amorim insists he is delighted to have landed Benjamin Sesko – who he believes will be United’s main forward for many years to come.
The United boss has had just five working days to bond with Sesko, who has only played against the under-21s in a United shirt, so a start against Arteta’s Gunners might be too big an ask.
But with Rasmus Hojlund on the verge of joining AC Milan on loan and Mason Mount playing as a false No9 last time out – Sesko might have to be deployed instantly.
Opponents Arsenal tracked 6ft 5in Sesko for a very long time, a move seeming nailed on amid the Sporting-Gyokeres transfer saga.
In the end, the North London club got Gyokeres over the line.
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The strikers offer a similar profile, with Arsenal’s new star a more traditional, powerful target man, while Sesko combines physicality with greater mobility.
The Sweden international has scored over 100 goals for club and country over the past two seasons – more than Sesko has yet managed in his career.
But he is 27. A signing for the here and the now who has already shown what he’s capable of with a glancing header in Arsenal’s rampant 3-0 pre-season win over Athletic Club.
Sesko’s goal output might not be as impressive as Gyokeres’, but his 39 goals for RB Leipzig in all competitions over the past two seasons means he’s Europe’s highest goalscorer of players under 23 in that time.
CARL IT QUITS
ANOTHER player who Amorim admires is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba – who has been linked with a switch to Old Trafford over recent weeks.
However there is an acceptance at United that the Cameroon will not be moving to them this summer.
The asking price from the Seagulls is simply too hot for the Red Devils, who have splashed out more than £200million on their forward line this summer.
Baleba is believed to fancy the move though – so watch this space in 12 months time.
SESK ON FIRE
BENJAMIN SESKO’S agent has confirmed he held talks with several other clubs before sealing the dream switch to Manchester United.
Newcastle’s interest was well documented – while there were reports in Spain that Barcelona were keen on the £74million Slovenian.
Now Elvis Basanovic – whose Pro Transfer Agency have guided him through out his career – has spoken about a hectic few weeks.
But he admits all their efforts will be worthwhile when he sets foot on the Old Trafford turf for the first time this weekend.
Basanovic said: “It’s been a tough summer. The story dragged on for a long time, including talks with other clubs.
“There was a lot of work, travel, stress and little sleep but in the end, it was worth it for something extraordinary.
“I couldn’t wait to see Benjamin walk into the Theatre of Dreams.”
The agent hopes Sesko’s story will inspire other young players from their tiny nation to aim for the very top.
He added: “Benjamin proved that even from small Slovenia, you can achieve big things.
“I hope other young players there will dream big, work hard and realise amazing goals.”
SIGN OF THE TIMES
RUBEN AMORIM’S new signings have captured the imagination of their supporters this summer.
Matheus Cunha , Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko hope to add the goals and a bit of excitement that were sadly lacking last year.
Meanwhile popular club captain and talisman Bruno Fernandes has chosen to stay despite strong interest from Saudi Arabia in May.
Yet club legend Rio Ferdinand revealed it was a different name that supporters wanted on their backs during the tour of North America this summer.
Former skipper and centre back Harry Maguire was the most popular name – according to Rio, who interviewed the England defender this week.
THIS IS THE ONE
UNITED are doing all they can to improve the atmosphere at the Theatre of Dreams this summer.
Not surprisingly, given the lack of excitement and goals, things were a little flat for Prem games last season.
Now The Red Army fan group have requested the music is turned off 15 minutes before kick off to allow supporters to crank up the noise.
The same request has been made for the minutes after a home win – when regulars are currently treated to ‘Glory Glory Man United’.
The Old Trafford faithful have been given the chance to fill in a survey to make their feelings known on the matter ahead of the curtain raiser against Arsenal.
Organisers have made it clear they still want two traditional pre-match favourites to remain – no matter what the outcome.
‘Country Roads’ by John Denver and Stone Roses Classic ‘This is the One’ will continue to be played no matter what is decided.
CASA AMOR
STAFF who survived Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s wave of redundancies were given metal WATER BOTTLES with the club’s new motto sprayed across: “BADGE, BRAVERY, SPIRIT” to take home with them this week.
United’s twist on Love Island bottles served as a reminder of chief executive Omar Berrada’s newly set core values relayed during a big group meeting at Carrington on Monday.
That meeting served as a chance for directors Jason Wilcox and Marc Armstrong, as well as Amorim, to give an overview of how the summer has gone.
Wilcox, United’s director of football , applauded latest signing Benjamin Sesko during his speech, praising “Benji” for showing tremendous desire to join the club.
He claimed the 22-year-old striker rejected further offers of a higher salary from fellow suitors Newcastle , even after he had agreed personal terms at Old Trafford – a point rejected by people at St James Park.
On the topic of wanting United above all else, Amorim grabbed the opportunity to thank skipper Bruno Fernandes for returning down a “big money move to Saudi Arabia”.
This is the first time United have started a season with the manager and football structure both chosen by Ratcliffe’s Ineos regime.
