Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has expressed concerns about the club’s decision to sign young striker Benjamin Sesko, suggesting they should have pursued Aston Villa’s experienced forward Ollie Watkins instead.
Butt, who made over 270 appearances for United, fears the club is repeating past mistakes by investing in another unproven Premier League talent rather than an established goalscorer.
Sesko Signing Sparks Deja Vu Concerns
Manchester United secured Sesko from RB Leipzig in a £74 million deal this summer after the 22-year-old scored 21 goals in all competitions last season.
Despite the Slovenian’s promising record, Butt sees parallels with United’s previous acquisition of Rasmus Hojlund, who struggled at Old Trafford before being offloaded to Napoli.
Butt told BetMGM: “I hope I’m wrong but I really hope they aren’t making the same mistakes with Sesko as they did with Rasmus [Hojlund].
A young player coming in with no Premier League experience, it just feels like history repeating itself”.
Call for Experienced Alternative
The former United hero believes the club should have targeted Villa’s Watkins, valued at around £60 million, to provide proven quality and mentorship for the team’s younger attackers.
“Butt wishes Manchester United had instead spent the money to sign ‘experienced Premier League striker’ Ollie Watkins,” noting that for similar cost, Watkins would have offered both immediate impact and a safety net for developing players.
Butt emphasized the importance of having an experienced striker who can “help and pull the young strikers out of a bad patch” when they face inevitable difficult periods.
Broader Concerns for United’s Season
Butt also addressed United’s overall prospects, stating that restoring the fear factor at Old Trafford should be a priority this season. He highlighted the need for teams to once again dread visiting United’s home ground.
Sesko will have an early opportunity to silence critics when United face Manchester City next Sunday. The young striker will be looking to open his account for the Red Devils against their local rivals.
