Benjamin Sesko has named the three former Man United strikers he admires having completed his big money move to Old Trafford at the weekend, with 'idol' Zlatan Ibrahimovic among those he’s hoping to emulate.
The young forward was also wanted by Newcastle, and was previously a target for Arsenal, but has since secured his switch to the Premier League powerhouse. Despite their worst ever Premier League finish and a lack of European football on offer, United have proven they still have what it targets to lure their top targets to Manchester.
Matheus Cunha opted to leave Wolves for Old Trafford, while Bryan Mbeumo was adamant he’d only leave Brentford for United despite reports he’d follow Thomas Frank to Tottenham.
And Sesko becomes the latest big money striker through the Old Trafford doors having joined for £73.62m on Saturday. While the 22-year-old played no part in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Fiorentina, the striker no less unveiled prior to kick off, Sesko is in line to make his debut against Arsenal this weekend.
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The Gunners travel to Manchester for their season opener on Sunday and will look to avoid a similar 8-2 mauling to the one they suffered in 2011 in their most previous August fixture at United.
And when Sesko was asked by club’s media department about which former United striker he most admired, he was quick to point out ‘idol’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The powerhouse Swede spent two years at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, winning the Europa League, EFL Cup and Community Shield before departing for LA Galaxy in 2018.
On Ibrahimovic, Sesko told the United media team: “Since I've been small I've been watching him, every single YouTube video I can find, because he is amazing for me.
“We don't have the same, let's say, character but I like to see the way he plays, the way he enjoys football. If you enjoy football then everything works.
“It's just basically been my dream to one day meet him, that would be great. In general, he's my idol. (I've been) trying to take some stuff from him, especially some similarities with high kicks and power strikes.
“We are not the same, we have different playing styles but if there is any situation I try to do like he did.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic the last 'elite' striker United had
There is an argument to be made that Ibrahimovic is the last top-quality striker the club had on the books, with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee both struggling to match expectations.
Ibrahimovic was also overly confident in his abilities, and it’s clear United need that sort of character in the dressing room as they look to improve upon a disappointing campaign.
Along with Ibra, Sesko also added that he also appreciates Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, the pair members of United’s last title-winning squad back in 2013.
“For me, it's Van Persie, Rooney, all those kinds of guys,” the Slovenia international added.
“I've been watching them on videos. They've been great. I can admire them a lot and show myself in a good light here and try to help the team, help the club to be as high as possible.”
Sesko ended last season with 13 league goals to his name and he’ll hope to play a key role in Amorim’s favoured 3-4-2-1 setup in the Portuguese’s first full season at United.
And how the young powerhouse forward would love nothing more than to emulate Ibrahimovic by firing United back to silverware and European football in the process.
Topics: Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Premier League, Football, Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie
Ben McAleer