In just a couple of weeks, Manchester United will play their first game of the new 2025/26 season. It’s going to be a big match at Old Trafford against Arsenal. These two teams used to be the best in England and had some really fierce rivalries. While it’s not as intense today, this game is still a huge way to start the season.
But there’s one big problem—Manchester United isn’t quite ready.
Changes Needed at Old Trafford
Old Trafford, also known as “The Theatre of Dreams,” will be full of cheering fans—about 75,000 of them. They’ll all be hoping for a win. But manager Ruben Amorim has a lot of work to do. After a very disappointing last season, he promised big changes.
So far, that hasn’t really happened.
Amorim is known for sticking to his playing style. That means certain players just don’t fit how he wants to play. Only Marcus Rashford has left the team so far, but players like Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia have all been told they can go, too.
If those players don’t leave and no new players come in, Amorim could be stuck using players he doesn’t want. That’s not a good way to start a season.
A Quiet Transfer Window
When a team wants to get new players, it’s called a “transfer window.” Manchester United’s transfer window has been pretty quiet.
So far, they’ve signed:
Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton for £62.5 million
Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for £71 million
Diego Leon, a young full-back who is just 18
That’s it. That’s all the new signings.
Cunha and Mbeumo are both good players with Premier League experience, but they aren’t the big superstar names fans were hoping for. And while they can help the attack, Amorim still doesn’t have a strong striker—the kind of player who can score lots of goals every season.
Missing Out on Gyokeres
This summer, one striker that Amorim really wanted was Viktor Gyokeres. He’s been amazing in Portugal with Sporting Lisbon and scored tons of goals. But instead of joining United, he signed with Arsenal—and now he’ll be playing against his old coach on the first day of the season.
Another young striker, Liam Delap, was also on the list. But he ended up signing for Chelsea.
So Amorim still hasn’t found his perfect striker. He doesn’t seem to trust Rasmus Højlund or Joshua Zirkzee to lead the line. That puts pressure on United’s board to act fast and sign someone who fits the manager’s style.
Two Options: Watkins or Sesko
Now, there are two names that are being talked about: Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa and Benjamin Šeško from RB Leipzig. Both are exciting options, but they’re very different.
Let’s break it down.
🇬🇧 Ollie Watkins – The Premier League Pro
Age: 29 (turning 30 this year)
Team: Aston Villa
Style: Fast, clever, and great at making runs behind defenders
Watkins isn’t the tall, strong target man who stands in the box waiting for crosses. Instead, he likes to move around and confuse defenders with his speed and smart runs. He knows the Premier League very well and has played more than 160 games in the competition.
Stats in Last 2 Seasons:
54 goals
27 assists
14 goals with his head
Shot accuracy: 43.9%
Conversion rate: 21.9%
Pass accuracy: As high as 95.5% in a game!
Watkins also loves a good one-on-one battle with defenders. He has taken part in 1,002 duels—almost double the number Sesko has. He might be older, but he brings experience, leadership, and knows what it takes to score goals in England.
🇸🇮 Benjamin Šeško – The Young Star
Age: Just 22
Team: RB Leipzig (Germany)
Style: Tall, strong, and powerful in the air
Šeško is more of a traditional striker. He’s tall, athletic, and good at winning headers. He’s been the main striker at Leipzig and also plays for the Slovenian national team. Last season, he helped them qualify for EURO 2024, their first big tournament in years.
33 goals
8 assists
9 goals with his head
Shot accuracy: 43.9%
Conversion rate: 19.7%
Pass accuracy: Never above 68.3%
He’s younger and might have a higher ceiling for improvement. But the big question is: can he do the same in the Premier League? The English league is very fast and physical, and not every striker from Europe can adapt quickly.
Still, Šeško has done well in the Bundesliga and has a better win rate in headed duels compared to Watkins. That means he’s very strong in the air—perfect for crossing tactics.
Who Should United Choose?
This decision isn’t easy.
If United wants someone who’s ready right now, who knows the Premier League and won’t need time to adapt, then Ollie Watkins is the safer bet. He scores goals, creates chances, and plays smart football.
But if they want someone younger who could become one of the best in the world over the next few years, Benjamin Šeško could be the better investment.
Here’s what it comes down to:
Experience vs. Potential
Premier League proven vs. Bundesliga rising star
More goals now vs. Maybe more goals later
United Can’t Get It Wrong
Last season, Manchester United made some poor choices in the transfer market. That hurt their chances of winning trophies. They can’t afford to make the same mistakes again.
Ruben Amorim needs players who fit his system. And the team needs a striker who can score 20+ goals a season. Whether it’s Watkins or Šeško, they need to act fast.
If they don’t sign anyone soon, United might start the season in total confusion—with unhappy players, no clear goal-scorer, and a manager stuck with players he doesn’t want.
That’s not how you win titles. That’s not how you bring back the glory days to Old Trafford.
It’s time to choose—and choose wisely.
