‘Not quite’ – Simon Jordan digs at Man United amid Benjamin Sesko update
Simon Jordan has delivered a strong swipe at Man United amid their transfer situation with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
The rebuild under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford is going to test the patience of the United hierarchy.
The Portuguese came in November 2024 after Erik ten Hag was sacked following his abysmal start to the 2024-25 season.
Amorim got quickly to work to improve the Red Devils’ campaign, but fast forward to May 2025, the club sat 15th in the league as well as losing to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
No European football, alongside a whopping £2billion stadium (Sky Sports), has put the side in an awkward position in the transfer market.
Despite bringing in both Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, United desperately need more reinforcements.
This extends to the striker position, where the Red Devils are in the hunt for Leipzig’s Sesko to sort out their goal scoring issue.
Man United less attractive to elite players now
Speaking on talkSPORT (30 July), ex-Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan touched on whether the Red Devils are deemed an “elite” team anymore.
He said: “They’re [Man United] not quite the same draw as they once were for elite footballers that are coming from elite football clubs with all due respect to Brentford.
“You might not pull a player out of Bayern Munich or other football clubs quite as easily as Man United over other clubs in English football that are now achieving things more.”
The question comes following speculation on whether United can attract Slovenian Sesko to come to Old Trafford.
The 22-year-old has an “elite club” clause in his contract which could tempt him with a move away from Germany.
Simon Jordan right to think Man United not the same as before
Even with the additions of Mbeumo and Cunha, Amorim’s squad is miles off competing for the European places in the upcoming season.
Although the club may have the pull of being one of the biggest football teams in the world, the modern generation of football players want to play for the best sides on the planet, not the most well-known.
For instance, Sesko is being pursued by Newcastle who, many would consider are a smaller football club than United, can offer the prospect of Champions League football.
| Premier League teams playing in the Champions League 2025-26 | League position |
| Liverpool | 1st |
| Arsenal | 2nd |
| Man City | 3rd |
| Chelsea | 4th |
| Newcastle | 5th |
| Tottenham | 17th |
Even Spurs, who finished 17th last season and are in a similar project to the Red Devils, have the attraction of playing in Europe’s best competition.
Both the Cameroonian and the Brazilian have taken a massive leap of faith on a dying football club.
They must pray that Amorim can deliver a miracle to bring Old Trafford back to its former glory, or risk wasting away in Manchester.
United cannot be considered an “elite” club anymore, they must earn that title back as they undergo major surgery to fix their fortunes.