Ruben Amorim’s stance on swap deal involving Benjamin Sesko and Man Utd star revealed

Rasmus Hojlund had a tough season with Manchester United after scoring just four times and the club are now pursuing RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko – though that might not spell the end for him at Old Trafford

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is said to believe that signing Benjamin Sesko could help Rasmus Hojlund “explode into life” amid suggestions that the Dane could be axed to make way for the RB Leipzig star.

United are seemingly ready to swoop for Sesko, who is one of the most highly-rated forwards in Europe after some superb goalscoring displays in the Bundesliga.

Amorim is desperate to add more firepower to his squad after watching them finish 15th last season and Hojlund could not help the team as he managed just four goals in the Premier League, infuriating fans in the process.

There had even been reports from the Athletic that United’s interest in Sesko could lead to Hojlund, signed for a whopping £72m, going the other way in a swap deal.

But now the Sun has claimed that Sesko’s arrival would not spell the end for Hojlund, with Amorim believing the Slovenian can actually help the former Atalanta man raise his game by giving him some serious competition.

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United may have to spend as much as £70m to land Sesko after making him their priority transfer target over Ollie Watkins, who is valued at £60m by Aston Villa. United felt that Sesko represented better long-term value given he is five years younger.

And Amorim is increasingly positive about the prospect of Sesko joining the club and feels he can get the best out of him – just as he did with Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting Lisbon, the report adds.

It says the Portuguese coach sees Sesko as the “dynamite” United need up front to return to the glory days after a dismal season saw them lose 17 games in the top flight.

Amorim is also said to think the lack of competition in attack last season contributed to Hojlund’s poor season, with Joshua Zirkzee also struggling with just three goals in the Premier League.

The presence of the two players at the club would add pressure on both players to succeed, which might be a factor in Amorim keeping Hojlund for the time being. The Denmark international has been included in Amorim’s pre-season plans, unlike players like Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcus Rashford who have been frozen out.

He showed his desire to keep progressing by scoring a brace in a 4-1 friendly win over Bournemouth, leading to praise from his manager. “People focus on the goals and we suffer a lot because of the lack of goals,’ the coach said. “I think not just the goals, but the way he connects the play every time we have to kick the ball [long].

“I’m really happy with Rasmus. I don’t know what is going to happen until the end of the market. The important thing is that the strikers that are here are working really well, are improving, are helping the team and that is the most important thing.”

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