Man United will regret £17m striker transfer failure, he's outperforming Benjamin Sesko

Benjamin Sesko has yet to properly arrive at Old Trafford, and the Manchester United striker is now sidelined with an injury.

The 23-year-old has netted just once in the Premier League in 2026-27, with his only other goal coming against Sabah FK in the Champions League.

While he did notch 11 goals during his first season in England, his lack of starts and long spells without contributions did become a concern.

Michael Carrick has been able to fall back on Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and of course, Bruno Fernandes, but the Red Devils desperately need a 20-goals-a-season striker.

So far, Sesko doesn't appear to be that player for them, which is unfortunate after splashing £74million on him last summer.

Man United considered several targets before getting out the chequebook, and they may regret not going in for a rising Premier League star.

Brian Brobbey would have been a bargain signing

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey moved to the Premier League just a few weeks after Sesko, joining the Black Cats on a £17m deal from Ajax.

While settling into life in England, the 24-year-old netted seven goals in 31 games, helping Regis Le Bris' side to European qualification.

The Dutchman has proven himself in Europe before, and already this season, has a hat-trick against Manchester City in a 5-3 thriller at the Etihad.

Only Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak have more goals than him this season, and the Red Devils could have signed him for a fraction of Sesko's price tag last summer.

Instead, the centre-forward is stealing the headlines at the Stadium of Light, and is extremely likely to end the season with more goals than United's big-money signing.

Who could Man United sign next summer?

While the striker spot is not the only area of concern, with new centre-backs needed, Sesko simply cannot be United's first choice.

Football Insider understands that the Red Devils will attempt to sign Harry Kane if he fails to agree new terms at Bayern Munich, but that seems unlikely.

Bournemouth's Eli Kroupi Junior or Victor Osimhen should both be targets at the Theatre of Dreams, and so too should Brobbey after his exploits against the Noisy Neighbours.

Man United are unlikely to take action during the January transfer window, so supporters will have to wait until next summer.