Manchester United have been warned not to let striker Rasmus Hojlund leave this summer, despite the arrival of Benjamin Sesko.
The Slovenia international has been brought in from RB Leipzig for £74m, with the Red Devils beating Newcastle for the in-demand striker.
The 22-year-old will have to adapt to his new surroundings in the Premier League, but is expected to lead the line in a new-look front three featuring Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.
That will push Hojlund down the pecking order, which is no surprise after a seriously underwhelming season last time round.
The Denmark international, who is also just 22 years old, managed 10 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions, with just four in 32 outings in the Premier League.
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After the arrival of Sesko, Manchester United are reportedly open to letting Hojlund leave, with AC Milan keen on a loan deal with an option to buy next summer.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that a deal between the two clubs has been struck, but the striker is keen to stay and fight for his place.
Former Red Devils and Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre feels letting the Dane go would be an error, with United needing competition for places and back-up for the starting XI.
‘Marcus Rashford has gone and there are not a lot of strikers around, Joshua Zirkzee is a different type of striker that doesn’t make those runs in behind the defence,’ Silvestre told Hajper.
‘He is another type of player for certain games, certain opposition. But no, you need competition, need quality, so I wouldn’t rush into sending Rasmus Hojlund out on loan if Sesko signs. Absolutely not.’
Silvestre does like what he has seen from Sesko, though, feeling like he could well be a hit under Ruben Amorim.
;Benjamin Sesko is an upcoming talent and he’s got certain qualities that could fit into Ruben Amorim’s style of play,’ said the Frenchman.
‘He’s got presence, height, he’s good with his back against the defenders. He’s got the athleticism to respond to the physicality of the Premier League. He’s ticking a lot of boxes for sure.’
Amorim told MUTV of his new centre-forward: ‘He has the characteristics that we needed. Ben is a player – with all the information that we have – that we need to stop the guy from working, not the opposite!
‘So that is also important. He’s really young. He’s good in the air, he’s good at running the channels, good on the ball. I think he has great potential. I think he can improve a lot and, for sure, he is going to feel at home in our club.
‘He has the right character to be in this group, so I’m really happy to have him.’
Hojlund was left on the bench on Saturday as Manchester United drew with Fiorentina in a pre-season friendly at Old Trafford.
Mason Mount filled in as a false nine and thoroughly impressed his manager.
‘It’s unbelievable,’ Amorim said of Mount’s work rate. ‘The way he works, moving all the time and he knows all the positions, but also the other guys. It was a good test to prepare for the first time.’
