Manchester United skip £51 million striker, Sesko upgrade remains thin

Manchester United have drawn fresh criticism after failing to secure £51 million striker Ollie Watkins, a move former assistant manager Rene Meulensteen says would have bolstered a forward line that still relies on the young Benjamin Sesko. The former Red Devils assistant argued the club’s summer rebuild left them short up front despite spending over £150 million on midfield.

Forward‑line concerns

Benjamin Sesko is still young and improving, having scored off the bench against Everton and again in the mid‑week win over Sabah, Meulensteen told TEAMtalk. He praised the Slovenian’s impact but warned that United need a forward who offers something completely different. A varied attacking option would give Michael Carrick more tactical flexibility.

“Could Ollie Watkins have been that player? Possibly, yes,” Meulensteen said, referring to the proven Premier League striker who moved to Al‑Hilal for £51 million. Watkins knows how to find the net and understands the league’s physical demands. Meulensteen said INEOS made two transfer mistakes this summer, with the Watkins miss being the most glaring.

Meulensteen added that when clubs from Saudi Arabia come calling with that kind of money, it becomes very hard to hold onto a player, and equally hard for the player to refuse. The financial gap narrows any advantage United might have in the transfer market. This reality, he suggested, has already cost the Red Devils a potential upgrade.

Midfield overhaul

In the summer, Manchester United invested over £150 million to rebuild their midfield, securing Andrey Santos, Carlos Baleba and Youri Tielemans. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club’s owner, approved the spending, while sporting director Jason Wilcox oversaw the acquisitions. The trio was intended to replace ageing stars and add creativity, signalling an ambitious shift in the club’s recruitment strategy.

Man Utd also recruited goalkeeper Karl Darlow and several promising youngsters, yet head coach Michael Carrick has been left short in other areas. No new left‑back, centre‑back, winger or striker has been added to the squad. This leaves the team vulnerable in multiple positions despite the heavy spending.

Meulensteen called the £50 million Santos deal ‘head‑scratching’, questioning why Chelsea allowed the midfielder to leave for United. He noted that while Santos is a good link player, Baleba brings far more power and explosiveness. In big games, Baleba is likely to feature more frequently than Santos.

Future hurdles

He believes United’s midfield combinations will centre on Baleba, Tielemans and the freedom given to Bruno Fernandes further forward. Santos may still play a role, but the balance leans towards the more dynamic options. This configuration will shape United’s tactics for the coming season.

With Saudi clubs able to match or exceed United’s financial muscle, securing a proven striker like Watkins remains a challenge. Until United close the gap up front, the forward‑line will appear thin despite the £150 million midfield outlay. The Red Devils must decide whether to chase another target or rely on Sesko’s development.