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Manchester United may have no choice but to sign a striker in January following the news that Benjamin Sesko could be sidelined until the new year.
The Slovenia international is causing the Red Devils a major headache. In the spring, Sesko sustained a shin injury that disrupted his pre-season and may still be causing issues.
Ahead of the recent international break, the 23-year-old suffered a setback in Man Utd’s Carabao Cup loss to Brighton. This forced him to once again miss his international commitments – he hasn’t played for his country in more than a year – and it seems that the problem is worse than initially thought.
According to The Sun, Man Utd fear that Sesko could be out until 2027. It has been claimed that the striker is suffering from a recurring shin problem, but the report asserts that it is actually a separate issue.
Whatever the case, Sesko might not play for Man Utd again this year. There is said to be optimism that he will be back before February, but there is now a growing acceptance that January reinforcements will be necessary.
Man Utd to make January signings
Speaking to the media last week, head coach Michael Carrick confirmed that Man Utd will be “looking at” making signings in January. “Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don’t quite know,” he said.
“But without doubt, there’s opportunity because the transfer window is open. So we’ll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like.”
Man Utd should be well-prepared to make a striker signing, considering that this agenda item predates Sesko’s injury. In the summer, Joshua Zirkzee wanted to leave but was not allowed to because of the club’s inability to source a replacement.
The club will surely have been attentive to the strikers market in recent weeks and months, so there should be a rough idea of the players who could come in to deputise for Sesko. Of course, actually making mid-season signings is easier said than done.
In recent days, the name of Dinamo Zagreb sharpshooter Dion Beljo has cropped up. The Croatia international has been in rip-roaring form since a difficult spell at Bundesliga side Augsburg.
Beljo bagged 19 goals in 49 appearances on loan at Rapid Vienna, and he has scored an incredible 53 goals in 63 outings since returning to his hometown with Dinamo. He has netted 15 goals in as many games this season.
Unfortunately for Man Utd, they are far from the only ones to have taken notice of the towering striker’s exploits in Croatia. Vecernji reports that Newcastle and AC Milan are also interested in Beljo as they seek attacking reinforcements.
The report notes that Dinamo rejected a €20 million offer from Real Betis in the summer as it fell short of their €25m asking price. Given the 24-year-old’s even more impressive performances this season, it is expected that the Zagreb club’s demands will only increase, meaning that Beljo could potentially cost north of €30m.
His compatriot, Igor Matanovic, has also been associated with the Red Devils. The SC Freiburg striker, a force of nature like Beljo, has scored six goals in 10 games, although he is now in the midst of a four-game drought. Freiburg are in a strong financial position, so they could resist January approaches.
It will be fascinating to see how Man Utd react to Sesko’s four-month spell on the sidelines. They will surely have to act in January.
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