RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko has revealed that he turned down Manchester United’s advances before joining the German club because he felt that a move to Leipzig would be better for his career progression.
The young striker, who earned comparisons to Erling Haaland during his time at RB Salzburg, completed the £25m switch this summer having agreed to do so 12 months earlier.
There had been plenty of Premier League interest though, with Chelsea and Manchester United among those tailing the tall attacker before he opted for a Bundesliga move.
He has since scored twice in four games for Leipzig, though he has started just once as they look to ease the 20-year-old into action.
Benjamin Sesko… 🤯
— Out of Context Football Manager (@nocontextfm1) September 9, 2023
Asked about why he chose the German outfit over a Premier League move, and specifically a move to Old Trafford, Sesko explained that he thought it best for his development to move outside of the Premier League.
The thing is, I wasn’t really involved in these kinds of conversations,” Sesko revealed when quizzed on Manchester United interest. “But I think it was better to come here,” he added.
“The only thing that makes us somewhat comparable is size. But we have a completely different style of play. I like him as a player, but I don’t like comparing myself to anyone. I just want to be myself.”
My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially when it comes to speed. Most people even tell me that I’m better than him!”, he added.
United have of course signed yet another player likened to Haaland in the form of Rasmus Hojlund, who scored his first Manchester United goal against Bayern Munich in their 4-3 defeat at the Allianz Arena.