We 'signed' Benjamin Sesko for Man United in transfer window - what happened next was amazing

Manchester United have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, but what could happen if the Slovenian actually made the move to Old Trafford this summer?

It was confirmed back in April by Erik ten Hag that Manchester United would sign a striker in the summer transfer window, with a host of names being linked with a move to Old Trafford, including Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker has also attracted interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea, with the striker reportedly set to decide whether he stays in Germany or makes a move, probably to the Premier League.

With Anthony Martial leaving United, Rasmus Hojlund is the only striker at the club, with reinforcements needed. Goals were a struggle at times for Ten Hag's side last season, so an addition like Sesko should be very helpful. The 21-year-old managed 14 Bundesliga goals last season, scoring in each of the last seven games of the campaign.

ALSO READ: Ten Hag's former United coach gives verdict on future after summer exit

ALSO READ: United stall on Sofyan Amrabat decision as Ten Hag wait goes on

So, if United signed Sesko, how could he perform? We simulated the 2024/25 season to find out.

Man United's 2024/25 season simulated with Benjamin Sesko

To set up this simulation, we used Football Manager 2024 to move Sesko to United in the summer transfer window before simulating the 2024/25 season. This is how the striker performed.

Sesko was preferred up top to Hojlund, and the striker took advantage of his opportunity. After 38 games across all competitions, Sesko ended the campaign with 21 goals and five assists, more goals than any other United player.

Despite dropping out of the starting XI and making just seven starts all season Hojlund proved a fantastic option off the bench, with the Danish striker grabbing 15 goals. Marcus Rashford also rediscovered his goalscoring form, tallying 16 for the season.

At the end of the 2024/25 season, Football Manager 2024 put together an overall best United XI, based on performances, statistics, and other metrics.

This is what it looked like:

Full United best XI: (4-3-3): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Tomori, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Fernandes, Mainoo; Garnacho, Sesko, Rashford.

Sesko made the United best XI, with the Slovenian starting alongside Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in the front three. Casemiro was joined in midfield by Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes, while United also signed Fikayo Tomori in the simulation, and the Englishman partnered Lisandro Martinez in defence.

With Sesko in the squad, United were much better in the 2024/25 season, and that could be seen just from their performances in the Premier League. A solid campaign saw Ten Hag's side lose just six games all season as they ended in fourth place with 74 points.

21 wins, 11 draws, and six defeats handed United their total points tally, a 14-point improvement on last season. Chelsea finished seven points behind in fifth, while there was a seven-point gap from Arsenal in third. Manchester City won the Premier League for the fifth season in a row, with Pep Guardiola's side picking up 93 points.

Not only did United impress with the fourth-place finish, they also won a trophy. A 1-0 win over Liverpool saw Ten Hag's side win the FA Cup, with Sesko scoring the only goal of the game. Their Europa League run came to an end in the semi-final as they lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Milan, while a shock 2-1 loss to Preston North End saw United knocked out of the Carabao Cup in the third round.

Do you want United to sign Benjamin Sesko? Let us know in the comments!

Follow the MEN's United coverage on TikTok and YouTube, and subscribe to the Manchester is Red podcast