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Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
'I told Benjamin Sesko to join me at Chelsea - this is what Man Utd could be getting'
Chelsea were one of the clubs in the race to sign Benjamin Sesko last summer, and a message from then-Blues player Djordje Petrovic has resurfaced as Manchester United eye up the striker Benjamin Sesko is reportedly on Manchester United's radar, and ex- Chelsea goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has revealed what type of player Ruben Amorim's side would be recruiting. Alongside Ollie Watkins, the 22-year-old RB Leipzig striker is being considered in the final month of the summer transfer window. It's believed that Watkins would be open to a move to United, while Sesko's agent, Elvis Basanovic, has kept communication lines open with the Red Devils since discussing a potential move last year. The Slovenian international has been a hot topic in the transfer market since the end of the 2024/25 season. Arsenal seemed keen on Sesko but decided to pursue Viktor Gyokeres instead, sealing a £63.7million deal for the Swede last week. Now, it appears United and Newcastle are vying for Sesko's signature, with both Amorim and Eddie Howe eager to bolster their attacking options. However, various reports suggest that the striker is more inclined towards a move to Old Trafford. This isn't the first time Sesko has been linked with the Premier League. After rejecting United three years ago to join Leipzig, he was also nearly signed by Arsenal and Chelsea, reports the Manchester Evening News. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Petrovic had high praise for Sesko ahead of Euro 2024 last year, stating he "has everything" needed to succeed in the Premier League. Before the tournament, Petrovic had watched Sesko play several times and assured the Blues that he'd be a surefire success in the English top flight. "I know [about the rumours linking him with Chelsea] and have been following him," Petrovic, who now plays for Bournemouth, told Nogomania. "He's having a good half season, he's in great scoring form. I read that he's scored in his last seven matches in a row. He seems to have gained strong momentum for the Euros. "He's a forward who has everything a modern player needs. He's tall, strong, fast and intelligent. I've watched some of his matches. Of course he can play in the Premier League. Absolutely! He has great potential, and he's been successfully proving it." According to Sky in Germany, United's board has been in touch with Sesko, and talks about a potential transfer to Old Trafford are possible. Should Sesko touch down in Manchester, manager Amorim has made it crystal clear exactly what he expects from any new recruits, saying: "They have to want to come here. "I think what we can do to the fans is that we want players who have proved [themselves] already. Sometimes you have a player with a lot of potential, you have to be aware of that, but all the players that are coming, we need to know the player. "We need to talk to the player, we have to explain the project. And then one really important thing is that they want to come here. That is the key point. "If during the market we can find someone that can help the team and have all that boxes with them, we are going to do it. If not, we cannot do it because it's an important time in our club." Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Roy Keane's Ollie Watkins comments say it all with Man Utd now prioritising transfer
Roy Keane has already given his seal of approval on Ollie Watkins making his way to Manchester United, as Ruben Amorim steps up his pursuit of the Aston Villa striker Roy Keane believes Ollie Watkins is capable of leading the line for Manchester United as the Red Devils focus in on the Aston Villa striker as their top target. Ruben Amorim has already added Mattheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo to his attacking threat for the new season, but he is still on the hunt for a new No. 9 to front up his rebuild. It seems that United are shopping locally for their new signings, with Premier League experience clearly valued by the club's hierarchy this summer. Villa have remained adamant that Watkins is not for sale, but previously valued the 29-year-old at £60million, giving Old Trafford chiefs a benchmark to reach. However, United are confident that a compromise price of between £40m and £45m can be agreed between both parties to secure Watkins' services. Club icon Keane has weighed in on the Watkins debate before, stating that he believes the striker has what it takes to handle the pressure of a big club, as he put it. Speaking on Sky Sports in 2024, the former United midfielder said: "He could play for one of the top teams, couldn't he? Villa are a top team but you're talking about bigger clubs in Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City. "That's a compliment to him, not that he has to leave Villa. But he's capable of doing it." Discussing the striker's form at the time, Keane added: "The kid is so sharp, he has a great shape to him. His movement is as good as any striker in the Premier League. He's having an amazing season." Across 54 appearances last season, Watkins scored 17 goals and assisted 14 times. This type of return is exactly what United are after as they aim to improve what has been a disaster start to Amorim's reign. United already have two strikers on their books in Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, but it is safe to say the duo haven't exactly impressed during their time at the club. In total, Hojlund and Zirzkee have scored 17 goals between them, matching Watkins' solo endeavours at Villa last time out. Zirkzee only managed seven goals and three assists across all competitions for United following his £36.5m arrival last summer, while £72m man Hojlund hit 10 goals and four assists in 52 appearances. Amorim is aware that in order for his side to reach some level of success, he will require a more proven goalscoring record - and Watkins could be another cog in this puzzle. As well as Watkins, the Red Devils are also keeping tabs on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. The 22-year-old was consistent for a struggling Bundesliga side last campaign, scoring 13 goals and assisting five times in 33 league appearances. Sesko also scored four times across eight Champions League games for Leipzig, proving he can hold his weight in European competitions too. However, a £70m price tag could be off-putting to United, given that they have already dropped over £120m on Cunha and Mbeumo. The Red Devils also have other areas to prioritise and are in the market for a defensive midfielder and a new goalkeeper. Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have not convinced Amorim that either of them are capable enough to hold the No. 1 jersey, with both being used sporadically throughout the 2024/25 campaign, not to much success. The United boss also hopes to strengthen his midfield with a solid deep-laying playmaker, as Casemiro's veteran status rules him out of the starting position. Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are also both options, but Amorim seems to like playing Mainoo further forward - and it doesn't seem like he is happy with the £50m paid to bring Ugarte from PSG last summer. But number one on the manager's agenda is a new frontman, and with Newcastle United also in the race for Sesko's signature, Amorim may opt for Premier League pedigree and a cheaper fee in Watkins. Keane's seal of approval holds weight too, given his success in United's colours in years gone by. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Luke Shaw explains why 'extremely tough' Ruben Amorim was RIGHT to axe five Man Utd stars
Ruben Amorim is putting his Manchester United players through their paces in Chicago - and Luke Shaw has explained the manager's uncompromising approach on the training ground Luke Shaw says Ruben Amorim's hardline approach on his players is what is needed to take Manchester United back to the top. United ended last season in 15th place in the Premier League, their lowest finish for 51 years, and missed out on Europe after losing the Europa League final. Amorim has made it his mission to restore high standards on and off the pitch at United and axed a group of players from the US tour to underline his uncompromising approach. Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia were all left off the US tour, while Marcus Rashford has gone on loan to Barcelona. Defender Shaw said ruthless Amorim's refusal to compromise on his high standards is what United need if they are to have any hope of getting back to competing for major trophies. "He's extremely tough on the group,' said Shaw. 'Everyone has to put the team first. He's made that very clear. 'There are no stragglers in this group anymore. Us players, especially the more experienced ones, need to be demanding more from a day-in, day-out basis. 'The levels in training, keeping the times of when we're doing this and doing that, making sure no one's coming late or anything. We all need to up the level of demands. What Ruben definitely brings in is the demands, especially the mentality. 'The mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it. Ruben demands 100 per cent and he doesn't want anything less. If someone's doing 85 to 90 per cent, it's not enough for him. Especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, I feel like you won't play. 'You've seen what he's done in the past eight months with different players. He doesn't care who the player is. If he's not following what he wants, then that's how it should be, and rightly so.' Shaw, currently United's longest-serving player, has worked with five permanent managers in 11 years and admitted the atmosphere within the squad has been toxic at times. 'It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like,' said Shaw. 'A lot of the time I've been here over the last few years it's been extremely negative. It can be quite toxic, the environment, it's not healthy at all. 'We need an environment that's healthy, that's positive, that's got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you can express yourself more on the pitch. Things come together and, especially this pre-season, I feel like us as a team, I feel the bond is growing. 'I feel like, in my time here, it's probably the closest I've felt with the squad. Hopefully, that can continue.' Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
