Man United's Sesko vs Watkins dilemma as Rio Ferdinand drops Liverpool transfer 'conspiracy theory'

Manchester United’s search for a striker appears to be in the closing stages with two names now left on Ruben Amorim’s shopping list.

Two very different forwards are left with one being a known quantity and the other being one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers on an upward trajectory, a player compared to none other than Erling Haaland due to his goal scoring exploits at a young age. With the future of Rasmus Hojlund still uncertain, a new No.9 remains a priority. Several names have been mentioned throughout the summer, but there now appears to be two who are left on the list.

United are said to be Benjamin Sesko’s preferred option over Newcastle United, however, the alternate is Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, a player who the Old Trafford faithful will know and respect as well as be excited to see lead the line given his numbers in the Premier League. With 111 goal contributions in 184 games, only the world class operators in the division are more prolific.

Rio Ferdinand has Man Utd transfer theory for Watkins and Sesko

Because they are so different in terms of profile and style of play, it isn’t easy to pick who Amorim should go for, however, Rio Ferdinand has an idea: "Can I just say why we should buy [Sesko]..." Ferdinand said on his podcast. "I wanted a striker with experience, so he would not be my first choice, obviously, even now. But the fact that — and this is a bit of a conspiracy theory — if Man United buy him and Newcastle don’t get a No. 9, does that mean Isak stays at Newcastle and Liverpool don’t get Isak? Liverpool’s transfer window has been nothing short of exceptional so far. If they get Isak, it is lights out for the Premier League"

Ferdinand has performed a complete 180 in terms of who he wants with Watkins being his favourite only a matter of days ago due to United already having two younger, project type forwards in Hojlund and Joshua Zirkee. It’s unfair to Sesko to make this sort of comparison given that he has been a senior player since he was 16 and the fact that he has 41 international caps already at the age of 22, but it is logical, to an extent.

Who should United sign - Watkins or Sesko?

What United shouldn’t be doing is worrying about anyone else, especially not Liverpool. Like it or not, the Red Devils are currently miles away from their northern rivals and need to make the right decisions for both the short and long term or the cycle of failure will never end. In an ideal world, they could sell Hojlund and replace him with Watkins before adding Sesko too. Every successful United team in the past always had three or four top strikers, not a No.9 who struggles to hit double figures.

Using Data MB’s comparison tool, it is easy to see what the fundamental differences are between the 6ft 5inch tall Sesko and England international Watkins. The Torquay born 29-year old is more involved in general play and likes to be the focal point of the attack, for United though, the No.10s like Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes would have this role.

Which is why the more clinical and aerially dominant Sesko would be the better option for Amorim’s style of play if only one of them can be bought, a move that would see Ferdinand get their wish and Isak, potentially, staying put.