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How Sesko and Watkins compare as Man Utd aim to solve striker woes

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How Sesko and Watkins compare as Man Utd aim to solve striker woes

Manchester United have streamlined their search for a new striker, with Benjamin Sesko and Ollie Watkins emerging as the two main candidates to lead the line at Old Trafford.

Manager Ruben Amorim is eager to reinforce the attack this summer following underwhelming performances from Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee last season.

The pair managed just seven goals across 64 combined Premier League appearances, prompting the club to overhaul its forward options after bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

United have reportedly reached out to Sesko’s camp to pitch their vision, despite not being able to offer European football this season.

The belief within the club is that the RB Leipzig forward could still favour a move to Old Trafford over joining Newcastle, who do have Champions League football on offer.

However, budget constraints could complicate any potential deal. United are well aware that Newcastle could comfortably match the £70 million valuation for Sesko if they sell Alexander Isak to Liverpool, forcing the Red Devils to explore alternative options.

One of those options is Watkins, with Aston Villa believed to value the England international at around £60 million. Still, United are confident they could secure him for closer to £45 million.

Conversations have already taken place with representatives of both players, but the club is said to be evaluating its next steps before making formal offers.

Looking at stats from the last two league seasons, Watkins has scored more goals than Sesko, 35 compared to 27.

However, Sesko has the edge in efficiency, with a higher shot conversion rate of 23.5% versus Watkins’ 18.3%. He also finds the net more frequently, averaging a goal every 145 minutes compared to Watkins’ 167.

Watkins stands out in other areas, providing 21 assists to Sesko’s seven and registering a higher number of shots overall. Both players offer similar output when it comes to aerial duels and defensive pressing.

At just 22, Sesko is viewed as a long-term asset with strong resale potential—something that aligns with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-conscious approach.

On the other hand, Watkins, now 29, has proven himself at the highest level, tallying 75 Premier League goals since arriving at Villa in 2020, and would likely adapt quickly at United.

Despite the appeal of either option, any move may hinge on finding a buyer for £72 million signing Rasmus Hojlund, who has struggled to justify his price tag.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson was also considered, but the West London club’s staggering £100 million valuation has ruled him out of contention.

While Villa have publicly maintained that Watkins is not for sale, it’s understood that they offered him to Arsenal during the January window before changing course after offloading Jhon Duran instead.

Mbeumo, who played alongside Watkins at Brentford and recently joined United, expressed admiration for the striker during an appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

Speaking on Watkins’ versatility, he said the forward is “a complete striker” who can both drop deep or run in behind, adding that such qualities make him an ideal partner for a winger.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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